天末怀李白 At the end of the sky, a reminisce for Li Bai
凉风起天末，君子意如何。
liáng fēng qǐ tiān mò ， jūn zǐ yì rú hé 。
As the cool breeze stirs at the edge of the sky, What thoughts occupy the noble mind, I pry.
鸿雁几时到，江湖秋水多。
hóng yàn jī shí dào ， jiāng hú qiū shuǐ duō 。
When will the majestic wild geese appear, Amidst the autumn waters of rivers and mere?
文章憎命达，魑魅喜人过。
wén zhāng zēng mìng dá ， chī mèi xǐ rén guò 。
Talented words are often met with disdain, Dark forces revel in causing others pain.
应共冤魂语，投诗赠汨罗。
yīng gòng yuān hún yǔ ， tóu shī zèng mì luó 。
Let us converse with the souls burdened by plight, Through poetry, a gift to the depths of the night.
Background
This poem was composed in the autumn of the year 759CE, during the same period as "Dreaming of Li Bai." During this period, the poet had resigned from his official post and was living as a wanderer in Qinzhou （秦州），present-day Tianshui, Gansu Province （甘肃天水）. The doubts expressed in the previous two poems have been resolved, but the feelings of longing and concern remained unabated. Thus, Du Fu wrote this poem to express his attachment and concern.
Overview
Inspired by the cool breeze, this poem evokes longing when looking at the landscape. It depicts Li Bai, who is in exile, traveling around Dongting Lake (洞庭湖) along the Yangtze River (长江) in the late autumn season. The work expresses the author's deep concern, nostalgia, sympathy for Li Bai, and resentment at his tragic fate.
The whole poem exudes emotion and is characterized by a graceful, delicate and melancholic style. It has since became a timeless lyrical masterpiece.
Line Breakdown
凉风起天末，君子意如何。
As the cool breeze stirs at the edge of the sky, What thoughts occupy the noble mind, I pry.
The inspiration of the autumn wind envelops the entire poem in a melancholic mood. The poet states, "As the cool breeze arises and the surroundings turn desolate, gazing sadly at the vast sky, what are my thoughts?" These two lines alone convey a sense of the vastness and perilousness of life, evoking boundless sadness that seems to emerge out of thin air.
The following line doesn't directly reveal the poet's state of mind, but instead poses a rhetorical question to a distant person: "What are your thoughts, my noble friend?" Seemingly casual in its tone, this question reveals the most heartfelt sentiment when confronted with the dilemma of finding the right words to say. It succinctly captures the essence of returning to simplicity and authenticity, with shallow words carrying profound emotions and distant imagery.
Considering Du Fu's perspective, his own downfall might not be a cause for concern, but when it comes to his distant friend facing such perilous circumstances, he understands the difficulty of finding peace in one's thoughts, surpassing his own plight. This verse is filled with boundless conjecture, showcasing the poet's deep longing. It reflects his consideration for others, emphasizing the profound nature of his "remembrance." It is a testament to his deep concern for his dear friend's release and his eager anticipation for news.
鸿雁几时到，江湖秋水多。
When will the majestic wild geese appear, Amidst the autumn waters of rivers and mere?
Thus, the question arises, "When will the migratory geese arrive?" The vastness of the Xiang and Dongting regions, with their treacherous winds and turbulent waters, gives rise to concerns about the abundance of autumnal perils in the river and lake.
Li Ciming once said, "The land of Chu is truly a place filled with sorrows, and autumn water is a reminder of distant loved ones."
李慈铭曰: “楚天实多恨之乡，秋水乃怀人之物。”
Distant and separated, we yearn for news that seems unattainable. Amidst the vast expanse of rivers and lakes, we can only send our heartfelt wishes and prayers for their safekeeping. However, as the geese fail to arrive and the waters remain treacherous, a profound sense of desolation and melancholy engulfs our souls.
文章憎命达，魑魅喜人过。
Talented words are often met with disdain, Dark forces revel in causing others pain.
The deep longing for a friend is further expressed through a profound sympathy for their fate. The line "文章憎命达" laments the unfortunate destiny often faced by those with exceptional literary talent. The language used in this expression is filled with sorrow and indignation, echoing the pain of shedding tears over unfulfilled aspirations throughout the ages.
Similarly, the phrase "魑魅喜人过" metaphorically suggests that Li Bai, like a scapegoat, has been falsely accused and exiled. These two lines combine commentary with emotional resonance, employing metaphors that carry profound wisdom and possess great artistic power.
They have become immortalized as lines of poetry that deeply touch the hearts of readers. Shao Changheng's evaluation of the poem once states, "With one expressing dislike and the other expressing delight, it leaves intellectuals with no place to stand."
邵长蘅评：“一憎一喜，遂令文人无置身地。”
These lines eloquently capture the shared destiny of intellectuals throughout history and serve as a profound reflection on countless historical realities.
应共冤魂语，投诗赠汨罗。
Let us converse with the souls burdened by plight, Through poetry, a gift to the depths of the night.
During this time, with Li Bai in exile in the Jiangnan region, Du Fu naturally recalls the patriotic poet Qu Yuan (屈原), who was slandered and banished, eventually drowning himself in the Leiluo River (汨罗).
Although this association is based on imagination, the poet deeply admires Qu Yuan, considering him to have sacrificed himself for the country and his spirit still lingering despite his death. Li Bai, on the other hand, is fervently longing for the restoration of peace and the subjugation of the An Lushan Rebellion, yet he himself suffers punishment and exile. Despite being granted amnesty and returning, he carries a heart full of resentment. It is natural for him to share a sympathetic sentiment with past sages due to the autumn wind. Thus, the line "应共冤魂语" vividly and authentically portrays Li Bai's inner thoughts.
In the final line, "投诗赠汨罗," by using the word "赠" (bestow), it imagines the eternal presence of Qu Yuan.
Both he and Li Bai share a millennium of shared grievances, and the prolific poet Li Bai, known for his drinking and innumerable poems, surely would compose a poem as a gift to express his feelings.
The brilliance of using the word "赠" lies in its ability to bring the aggrieved spirits to life, as Huang Sheng described, "It is not a lament, but a bestowal, vividly conveying the presence of the wronged spirits"
“不曰吊而曰赠，说得冤魂活现。”《读杜诗说》