“Li Shangyin’s Und Poem: Longing and Disillusionment”
Original Text and Translation
“无题·来是空言去绝踪” (Und: Words of Arrival are Empty, Departure Leaves No Trace)
Tang Dynasty
By Li Shangyin
Translation:
Words of arrival are empty promises; once you leave, no trace remains. As the moon wanes over the tower, the early morning bell rings at the fifth watch. In dreams, I cry out for you, unable to wake from the pain of separation; when awake, I hurriedly write a letter with ink that hasn’t fully darkened. The half-light of the candle reveals the golden and emerald adorned bedding, while the scent of musk faintly permeates the embroidered lotus flowers on the quilt. Like Liu Lang of old, I have long resented the distant Penglai Mountain; your departure places you beyond even greater distances.
Expanded Explanation for American Readers
Li Shangyin’s und poem, known for its emotional depth and rich imagery, poignantly captures the themes of longing and disillusionment. The poet’s feelings are conveyed through a series of vivid and symbolic images that reflect his inner turmoil and the pain of separation.
Exploring the Poem’s Themes and Imagery
1. The Elusiveness of Promises
The poem begins with the idea that promises of a meeting are hollow and meaningless. The poet laments that once someone departs, there is no way to trace their presence. This sense of fleetingness highlights the poet’s deep disappointment and disillusionment with unfulfilled promises.
2. The Passage of Time
The imagery of the moon “waning over the tower” and the “early morning bell” at the fifth watch sets a specific time frame—dawn, when the poet’s solitude is most pronounced. This detail underscores the theme of waiting and the painful awareness of time passing while separated from a loved one.
3. The Pain of Separation
The poet describes crying out in dreams, unable to awaken from the pain of separation. This vivid image captures the depth of the poet’s emotional suffering and his struggle with the realities of distance. The use of dreams as a setting for grief reflects the intersection of hope and despair.
4. The Act of Writing
The poet’s attempt to write a letter with ink that hasn’t fully darkened conveys a sense of urgency and incomplete expression. The hurried nature of the writing reflects the poet’s frustration and the inadequacy of words to fully capture his emotions.
5. Symbolism of Light and Scent
The imagery of the candle’s half-light revealing the golden and emerald-adorned bedding, along with the faint musk scent, adds a layer of sensuality and luxury. This setting contrasts with the poet’s emotional state, highlighting the disparity between material comfort and inner turmoil.
6. The Mythical Distance
The poem references Liu Lang, a historical figure who is associated with tales of romantic escapades and distant journeys. By comparing his own feelings to Liu Lang’s resentment of the distant Penglai Mountain, the poet emphasizes the seemingly insurmountable distance between himself and his loved one.
7. The Distant Place
The final lines express that the loved one’s departure places them beyond even greater distances than mythical Penglai Mountain. This exaggeration serves to amplify the poet’s sense of loss and the profound separation he feels.