Analysis of "长相思·汴水流" - Classical Chinese Poetry

Introduction

The poem "Everlasting Longing (长相思·汴水流)" was written by Bai Juyi (白居易), one of the most celebrated poets of the Tang Dynasty (618–907 AD). Known for his accessible and emotionally resonant style, Bai Juyi often explored themes of love, separation, and the passage of time.

This particular ci (lyric poem) is a poignant expression of longing, where the poet uses flowing rivers and distant landscapes as metaphors for unending yearning. It holds a significant place in Chinese literature as a masterpiece of emotional depth and lyrical beauty.

The Poem: Full Text and Translation

长相思·汴水流

Bian Shui Flows

汴水流
Biàn shuǐ liú
The Bian River flows,

泗水流
Sì shuǐ liú
The Si River flows,

流到瓜洲古渡头
Liú dào Guāzhōu gǔ dù tóu
All the way to the ancient ferry at Guazhou,

吴山点点愁
Wú shān diǎn diǎn chóu
The hills of Wu stand dotted with sorrow.

思悠悠
Sī yōuyōu
My thoughts stretch endlessly,

恨悠悠
Hèn yōuyōu
My regrets stretch endlessly,

恨到归时方始休
Hèn dào guī shí fāng shǐ xiū
Only when you return will they cease.

月明人倚楼
Yuè míng rén yǐ lóu
Under the bright moon, someone leans on the tower.

Line-by-Line Analysis

1. 汴水流，泗水流
   - The poem opens with the image of two rivers (Bian and Si) flowing endlessly. Water in Chinese poetry often symbolizes time and separation, reinforcing the theme of distance and longing.

2. 流到瓜洲古渡头
   - The rivers converge at Guazhou, an ancient ferry crossing, evoking a sense of historical and emotional passage.

3. 吴山点点愁
   - The "hills of Wu" (a region in southern China) are personified as "dotted with sorrow," blending natural scenery with human emotion—a hallmark of classical Chinese poetry.

4. 思悠悠，恨悠悠
   - The repetition of yōuyōu ("endlessly") emphasizes the ceaseless nature of the speaker’s longing and regret.

5. 恨到归时方始休
   - The sorrow will only end when the beloved returns, suggesting an unresolved, possibly unfulfilled, yearning.

6. 月明人倚楼
   - The final line paints a solitary figure under the moonlight, leaning on a tower—a classic image of melancholy and waiting in Chinese poetry.

Themes and Symbolism

1. Longing and Separation

The poem’s central theme is changxiangsi (everlasting longing), a common motif in Chinese literature. The rivers symbolize both distance and the passage of time, while the "hills of Wu" reflect the speaker’s inner sorrow.

2. Nature and Emotion

Bai Juyi masterfully merges natural imagery with human feeling, a technique known as qing jing jiao rong (情景交融, "emotion and scene blended"). The flowing rivers and distant hills mirror the speaker’s unending grief.

3. Moonlight as a Symbol

The moon often represents loneliness and yearning in Chinese poetry. Here, the "bright moon" illuminates the speaker’s solitude, heightening the emotional impact.

Cultural Context

Tang Dynasty and Lyric Poetry (Ci)

This poem belongs to the ci genre, which was sung to musical tunes. Unlike stricter shi (regulated verse), ci allowed more emotional flexibility, making it ideal for expressing personal longing.

Philosophical Undercurrents

The poem reflects Confucian ideals of loyalty and enduring love, as well as Daoist influences—accepting the natural flow of life while lamenting its sorrows.

Conclusion

"Everlasting Longing (长相思·汴水流)" is a timeless meditation on love and separation, where Bai Juyi transforms simple natural imagery into profound emotional depth. Its universal themes—distance, yearning, and the passage of time—resonate across cultures and centuries.

For modern readers, the poem serves as a reminder of how deeply human emotions are intertwined with the natural world, a perspective that remains poignant even today.

"Under the bright moon, someone leans on the tower"—perhaps we have all, at some point, been that solitary figure, waiting and longing.