Analysis of "送柴侍御" - Classical Chinese Poetry

Introduction

"送柴侍御" (Sòng Chái Shìyù, "Farewell to Imperial Attendant Chai") is a farewell poem written by the renowned Tang Dynasty poet Wang Changling (王昌龄, 698–757). Wang was a master of jueju (绝句), a four-line poetic form, and was particularly known for his emotionally resonant frontier and farewell poems.

This poem stands out for its optimistic tone, departing from the melancholy often associated with farewells in classical Chinese poetry. It reflects the Tang Dynasty's cosmopolitan spirit and the deep bonds of friendship among scholars and officials.

The Poem: Full Text and Translation

沅水通波接武冈

Yuán shuǐ tōng bō jiē Wǔgāng

The Yuan River's flowing waves connect to Wugang,

送君不觉有离伤

Sòng jūn bù jué yǒu lí shāng

Seeing you off, I feel no sorrow of parting.

青山一道同云雨

Qīng shān yī dào tóng yún yǔ

The same green mountains share clouds and rain,

明月何曾是两乡

Míng yuè hé céng shì liǎng xiāng

How could the bright moon make us two separate lands?

Line-by-Line Analysis

1. "沅水通波接武冈"
   The poem opens with a geographical reference—the Yuan River linking the poet's location to Wugang, where Chai is headed. The imagery of flowing water (tōng bō) suggests continuity and connection rather than separation.

2. "送君不觉有离伤"
   Unlike typical farewell poems laden with grief, Wang Changling declares an absence of sorrow (lí shāng). This defiance of convention hints at a philosophical perspective on separation.

3. "青山一道同云雨"
   The "green mountains" symbolize enduring nature, while "shared clouds and rain" metaphorically represents interconnected lives. The line implies that despite physical distance, friends remain united under the same sky.

4. "明月何曾是两乡"
   The moon, a classic symbol of longing in Chinese poetry, is reinterpreted here. The poet argues that since both friends gaze at the same moon, they are never truly apart. The rhetorical question (hé céng) reinforces this optimistic view.

Themes and Symbolism

• Friendship Beyond Distance: The poem reframes separation as an illusion, emphasizing spiritual closeness.
• Nature as Unifier: Rivers, mountains, and the moon serve as connective tissue between people.
• Optimism in Farewell: Departing from the mòbié (mournful farewell) tradition, Wang Changling offers a refreshing perspective on parting.

Key symbols:
- Water (沅水): Represents the flow of time and connection.
- Moon (明月): A shared celestial body transcending physical boundaries.

Cultural Context

Written during the Tang Dynasty's golden age (8th century), this poem reflects:
1. Scholar-Official Culture: Farewell poems were common among bureaucrats like Wang and Chai, who were often reassigned to distant posts.
2. Daoist Influence: The idea of unity with nature aligns with Daoist harmony principles.
3. Tang Cosmopolitanism: The poem's expansive worldview mirrors the Tang Empire's openness and vast territorial reach.

Unlike frontier poems emphasizing hardship, this work showcases Wang Changling's versatility in blending landscape imagery with philosophical depth.

Conclusion

"送柴侍御" transforms farewell into a celebration of eternal connection. Its defiance of sorrow through shared nature resonates across cultures—a reminder that true bonds transcend geography.

For modern readers, the poem offers wisdom: in an era of global mobility, we might emulate Wang Changling's perspective, seeing separation not as loss but as an opportunity to discover new forms of unity. The moon that once comforted Tang Dynasty officials still shines today, connecting us all.