Analysis of "酬乐天扬州初逢席上见赠" - Classical Chinese Poetry

Introduction

The poem "酬乐天扬州初逢席上见赠" (Chóu Lètiān Yángzhōu Chūféng Xíshàng Jiànzèng) was written by Liu Yuxi (刘禹锡, 772–842), a prominent poet of the Tang Dynasty. This poem was composed in response to a gift from his close friend, the famous poet Bai Juyi (白居易), who wrote "醉赠刘二十八使君" to console Liu Yuxi after years of political exile.

Liu Yuxi’s poem reflects resilience, friendship, and philosophical reflection on life’s hardships. It is celebrated for its emotional depth and elegant use of classical Chinese poetic techniques, making it a significant work in Chinese literary history.

The Poem: Full Text and Translation

巴山楚水凄凉地，二十三年弃置身。
Bā shān Chǔ shuǐ qīliáng dì, èrshí sān nián qìzhì shēn.
In the desolate lands of Ba and Chu, for twenty-three years, I was cast aside.

怀旧空吟闻笛赋，到乡翻似烂柯人。
Huáijiù kōng yín wén dí fù, dào xiāng fān sì làn kē rén.
Nostalgic, I chant the "Ode of Hearing the Flute" in vain; returning home, I feel like the woodcutter who found his axe-handle rotted.

沉舟侧畔千帆过，病树前头万木春。
Chén zhōu cè pàn qiān fān guò, bìng shù qián tóu wàn mù chūn.
By the side of a sunken ship, a thousand sails pass; before a withered tree, ten thousand saplings bloom in spring.

今日听君歌一曲，暂凭杯酒长精神。
Jīnrì tīng jūn gē yī qǔ, zàn píng bēi jiǔ zhǎng jīngshén.
Today, hearing your song, I lift my spirits briefly with this cup of wine.

Line-by-Line Analysis

1. "巴山楚水凄凉地，二十三年弃置身。"
   - Liu Yuxi describes his long exile (23 years) in the harsh, remote regions of Ba and Chu (modern Sichuan and Hubei). The "desolate lands" symbolize suffering and isolation.

2. "怀旧空吟闻笛赋，到乡翻似烂柯人。"
   - The "Ode of Hearing the Flute" refers to a nostalgic poem by Xi Kang, reflecting Liu’s longing for the past. The "rotted axe-handle" alludes to a fable about a woodcutter who returns home to find everything changed—highlighting Liu’s disorientation after exile.

3. "沉舟侧畔千帆过，病树前头万木春。"
   - This couplet is the most famous, using vivid natural imagery. The "sunken ship" and "withered tree" represent Liu’s past struggles, while the "thousand sails" and "blooming saplings" symbolize renewal and hope. Despite personal hardship, life moves forward.

4. "今日听君歌一曲，暂凭杯酒长精神。"
   - The poem ends on a note of gratitude to Bai Juyi. Though Liu’s sorrow lingers, friendship and wine offer temporary solace.

Themes and Symbolism

• Resilience and Renewal: The contrast between decay (sunken ship, withered tree) and vitality (sails, spring) underscores the poet’s acceptance of change and hope for the future.
• Friendship: The poem is a response to Bai Juyi, emphasizing the comfort of literary and emotional camaraderie.
• Time and Transformation: References to the "rotted axe-handle" and fleeting nature of life reflect Daoist and Confucian philosophies on impermanence.

Cultural Context

Liu Yuxi wrote this during the Tang Dynasty, a golden age of Chinese poetry. His exile resulted from political reforms, a common fate for officials who fell out of favor. The poem’s blend of personal grief and philosophical insight mirrors the Tang literati’s ideal of balancing emotion with wisdom.

The "sunken ship" and "withered tree" have become proverbial in Chinese, often quoted to encourage perseverance. The poem also exemplifies "responsive poetry" (酬和诗), a tradition where poets exchanged verses as intellectual and emotional dialogue.

Conclusion

"酬乐天扬州初逢席上见赠" is a masterpiece of layered meaning—personal yet universal, sorrowful yet hopeful. Liu Yuxi’s ability to transform suffering into art resonates across centuries, reminding readers of the enduring power of friendship and the cyclical nature of life.

For modern audiences, the poem’s message is timeless: even in adversity, there is growth, and in connection, there is solace. Its vivid imagery and emotional depth make it a gateway to understanding classical Chinese poetry’s beauty and wisdom.