Analysis of a Classic Chinese Poem: 诉衷情

# Analysis of "诉衷情" - Classical Chinese Poetry

## Introduction
The poem *"诉衷情" (Sù Zhōng Qíng)*, often translated as *"Telling Innermost Feelings"* or *"Pouring Out My Heart"*, is a celebrated lyric poem by the Southern Song Dynasty poet **Lu You (陆游, 1125–1210)**. Written during a time of national turmoil and personal hardship, it reflects the poet's deep patriotism and unfulfilled longing to serve his country. Lu You is renowned for his emotionally charged poetry, blending personal grief with political frustration, and *"诉衷情"* stands as one of his most poignant works.

## The Poem: Full Text and Translation

> 当年万里觅封侯  
> *Dāngnián wàn lǐ mì fēnghóu*  
> In those years, I traveled far to seek glory and honor,  

> 匹马戍梁州  
> *Pǐ mǎ shù Liángzhōu*  
> Alone on horseback, guarding Liangzhou.  

> 关河梦断何处  
> *Guānhé mèng duàn héchù*  
> Where are my dreams of frontiers and rivers now?  

> 尘暗旧貂裘  
> *Chén àn jiù diāoqiú*  
> Dust dims my old mink coat, worn and faded.  

> 胡未灭  
> *Hú wèi miè*  
> The northern foes remain unconquered,  

> 鬓先秋  
> *Bìn xiān qiū*  
> Yet my hair has turned autumn-white.  

> 泪空流  
> *Lèi kōng liú*  
> Tears flow in vain.  

> 此生谁料  
> *Cǐshēng shéi liào*  
> Who could have predicted this life—  

> 心在天山  
> *Xīn zài Tiānshān*  
> My heart still at the Tian Mountains,  

> 身老沧洲  
> *Shēn lǎo Cāngzhōu*  
> While my body ages by the Cangzhou waters.  

## Line-by-Line Analysis

1. **"In those years, I traveled far to seek glory and honor"**  
   Lu You recalls his youthful ambition to serve the nation, referencing the Han Dynasty tradition of earning titles through military service.  

2. **"Alone on horseback, guarding Liangzhou"**  
   Liangzhou symbolizes the frontier, where Lu You once served as a soldier. The imagery of solitude underscores his isolation in duty.  

3. **"Where are my dreams of frontiers and rivers now?"**  
   A rhetorical question lamenting the loss of his aspirations as the Song Dynasty weakened under foreign threats.  

4. **"Dust dims my old mink coat, worn and faded"**  
   The mink coat, a symbol of past valor, is now neglected—a metaphor for his unused potential.  

5. **"The northern foes remain unconquered"**  
   "Hu" refers to nomadic invaders (like the Jin Dynasty), highlighting his lifelong frustration with unresolved conflict.  

6. **"Yet my hair has turned autumn-white"**  
   Time has passed without achieving his goals; "autumn-white" suggests premature aging from sorrow.  

7. **"Tears flow in vain"**  
   A stark admission of helplessness, contrasting his passion with reality.  

8-10. **"My heart still at the Tian Mountains, while my body ages by the Cangzhou waters"**  
   The Tian Mountains (a frontier symbol) and Cangzhou (a retirement spot) represent the divide between his undying spirit and physical decline.  

## Themes and Symbolism

- **Patriotism and Unfulfilled Duty**: The poem centers on the tension between loyalty to one's country and the crushing weight of unrealized ambitions.  
- **Time and Mortality**: Symbols like "autumn hair" and "dusty coat" emphasize the poet's despair over aging without achieving his purpose.  
- **Nature as Metaphor**: Frontiers (mountains, rivers) symbolize aspirations, while "Cangzhou" embodies forced retirement and resignation.  

## Cultural Context

Written during the Southern Song Dynasty (1127–1279), a period of military defeat and territorial loss, Lu You's poetry often grappled with the conflict between personal sacrifice and national decline. His works resonate with Confucian ideals of loyalty and service, while also reflecting Daoist melancholy about the inevitability of change. *"诉衷情"* exemplifies the *ci* (词) genre—a lyrical form expressing intimate emotions, often set to music.  

## Conclusion

*"诉衷情"* is a masterpiece of emotional depth and historical resonance. Lu You's raw portrayal of unrequited devotion to his country transcends time, speaking to anyone who has faced unrealized dreams. Today, the poem remains a testament to the enduring human spirit—a heart that outlasts the body's limitations, forever yearning for purpose. Its blend of personal and political anguish offers a window into both Chinese literary tradition and universal struggles.