月夜 Moonlit Night
今夜鄜州月，闺中只独看。
jīn yè fū zhōu yuè ， guī zhōng zhī dú kàn 。
遥怜小儿女，未解忆长安。
yáo lián xiǎo ér nǚ ， wèi jiě yì cháng ān 。
香雾云鬟湿，清辉玉臂寒。
xiāng wù yún huán shī ， qīng huī yù bì hán 。
何时倚虚幌，双照泪痕干。
hé shí yǐ xū huǎng ， shuāng zhào lèi hén gān 。
Background
An Lushan (安禄山) attacked Tongguan (潼关) from Luoyang (洛阳) in the spring of the fifteenth year of the Tianbao period (756 AD). Chang'an fell in June, and Emperor Xuanzong retreated to Shu (蜀).
When the rebels stormed Baishui (白水), Du Fu and his family fled to Qiang village in Fuzhou (鄜州羌村). Emperor Suzong rose to the throne in Lingwu, now Lingwu County in Ningxia (宁夏灵武县) in July. When Du Fu learned of this, he left Fuzhou and traveled alone to Lingwu, but he was intercepted by An Lushan's rebels and carried back to Chang'an. In August, he was barred from leaving Chang'an, so he wrote this poetry while staring at the moon, missing his family.
Overview
The moon is used in this poetry to convey the anguish of separation, yet it is not used in the traditional way of a lover`s seperation. The features of the era, the anguish of turmoil, and inner anguish are merged into one. Producing a poem which evokes melancholy and regret towards the moon, but having hope in the uncertain future.
Every line in the poem, is lit by the moonlight, and “独看” or "solitary view" as well as “双照” or "double reflection" serve as the poem's eyes.
"Solitary view" is written in the perspective of his wife then on Du Fu himself. While his wife gazes on the moon alone in Fuzhou recalling Du Fu in Chang'an, Du Fu is in Chang'an recalling his wife in Fuzhou.
"Double reflection" incorporates memories and hopes: regretting the "Solitary view" of the night, rememberance of prior viewings together, and expression of sadness towards the undetermined future.
By adopting the technique of envisaging the other, the beauty of this approach lies in evoking one's own emotions through the prism of another. This format has since become a quintessential standard for succeeding generations.
The poem, in its entirety, is a subtle and refined, tightly structured with lucid language that captures Du Fu`s intent. The sentiments expressed are genuine and heartfelt, free from any trace of the fetters of prosaic conventions.
Line Breakdown
今夜鄜州月，闺中只独看。
On this night, the moon of Fuzhou shines bright, Only I in my boudoir, behold its light.
遥怜小儿女，未解忆长安。
My heart goes out to my dear little ones, Who have yet to understand the memory of Chang`An.
"Bemoan the innocent children, who are yet to grasp the heart-wrenching pangs of yearning. As my beloved gazes upon the moon, it is not for the mere pleasure of feasting her eyes upon nature's splendor, but rather to reminisce about Chang'an. Alas, our tender offspring are yet to be acquainted with the complexities of life and fail to grasp the import of 'remembering Chang'an.' "
Through the contrast of the wife's 'remembering' and the children's 'unacquainted memories,' the opening couplet underscores the poignant sense of 'solitude'.
In these first 2 lines, the words pity and remember are intrinsically linked to the phrases tonight and watching alone, which impart the full depth of their meaning. While the full moon graces us every month, tonight's solitary vigil instinctively summons forth memories of past and hope for the future.
The 4th couplet sheds light on the future. The earlier couplets had subtly hinted at the author and his wife's shared memory of watching the moon in Fuzhou and reminiscing about Chang'an. Having spent a decade in the latter city, they had weathered hardships and savored the beauty of its moon, etching it deep in their hearts.
But when the city fell to the An-Shi Rebellion, they were forced to flee to a Qiang village, where memories of their shared moments in Fuzhou and Chang'an were both poignant and painful. Now, with the author embroiled in the throes of war, his wife watches the moon alone in Fuzhou, remembering Chang'an. The word 'remember' carries a heavy weight, evoking not only grief but also weaving together anxiety and fear.
In the past, the couple had watched the moon in Fuzhou and remembered Chang'an, and despite their complex emotions, the wife had shared her husband's worries. But now, with the burden of 'pity' for their young children's innocence weighing upon her, the wife watches the moon alone, with no one to share her troubles. The word 'pity' reverberates with a deep and moving emotion.
香雾云鬟湿，清辉玉臂寒。
The misty fragrance clings to my tresses so fair, The clear moonlight cools my arms that are bare.
The third couplet paints a vivid picture of the misty atmosphere that has dampened the hair of the poet's wife, while the moonlight has chilled her jade-like arms. This creates a sense of loneliness and separation between the poet and his wife, who are now in different places.
何时倚虚幌，双照泪痕干。
Thinking of my worried children far away, I cannot help but shed tears as I lay.
The moonlight reflects on both our tears, But when will they dry oh dear?
In the last couplet, the poet's longing for Chang'an becomes even more poignant as he imagines his wife gazing at the moon alone. As time passes, his yearning grows deeper, and he envisions his wife's distress, which brings tears to his eyes. The couple watches the moon from different places, each in tears, emphasizing the distance between them.
The final sentence expresses the poet's hope to end the painful separation and gaze at the moon together, leaning on a window screen. The phrase "dry traces of tears" suggests that while the poet's tears have dried up, his wife's have not, indicating her continued sorrow and longing for him.
Overall, the poem conveys a sense of deep yearning and emotional distance, as the couple is separated by time and space.
As I gaze upon the moon for so long, My yearning for the past grows ever strong.