“Yearning to Return Home”
Yearning to Return Home: A Poem of Duty and Longing
In ancient Chinese literature, the theme of longing for home while fulfilling one’s duty is a common and poignant one. This sentiment is beautifully encapsulated in a poem that vividly portrays the emotional turmoil of a government servant torn between his official duties and his deep yearning to return home. This poem, a part of the “Classic of Poetry” (诗经), uses evocative imagery and heartfelt expressions to explore this inner conflict.
The poem begins with a powerful image of four strong steeds galloping swiftly on a long and winding road. The narrator expresses his deep sorrow as he thinks about his distant home. “四匹雄壮的骏马向前飞奔，宽广的大路遥迢而又漫长。难道我不想回到我的家乡？但君王的差使还没有完成，我内心里禁不住暗暗悲伤。” (Four mighty steeds gallop forward, the wide road is long and distant. Do I not long to return to my homeland? But the king’s mission is not yet complete, and my heart cannot help but feel sorrowful). Despite his deep desire to return, he is bound by his duty to the king.
As the poem progresses, the imagery of the horses and the journey continues to underscore the narrator’s internal struggle. The horses are described as being exhausted, with their black manes fluttering as they pant and falter. “四匹雄壮的骏马向前飞奔，黑鬃白马累得喘息腿发慌。” (Four mighty steeds gallop forward, their black manes fluttering as the white horses pant and falter). The physical strain on the horses mirrors the emotional burden carried by the narrator, who longs to return home but is bound by his responsibilities.
The poem then shifts its focus to the imagery of pigeons flying freely, contrasting sharply with the narrator’s constrained situation. “漂亮鹁鸠从远处翩翩飞来，有时高空飞有时低处翱翔，最终栖落在茂密的柞树上。” (Beautiful pigeons fly gracefully from afar, sometimes soaring high and sometimes gliding low, finally resting on the dense oak tree). These pigeons, free to fly and rest as they please, symbolize the freedom and peace that the narrator yearns for but cannot attain. The stark contrast between the pigeons’ freedom and the narrator’s confinement amplifies the sense of longing and helplessness.
The poem continues to explore this theme, with the narrator lamenting his inability to care for his aging parents due to his duties. “漂亮鹁鸠从远处翩翩飞来，有时自在飞有时收起翅膀，最终落在茂密的枸杞树上。但君王的差使还没有完成，我顾不上把老母亲来奉养。” (Beautiful pigeons fly gracefully from afar, sometimes flying freely, sometimes folding their wings, finally resting on the dense wolfberry tree. But the king’s mission is not yet complete, and I cannot care for my aging mother). His sense of duty to the king clashes with his filial responsibilities, adding to his sorrow and frustration.
Throughout the poem, the narrator’s feelings of duty and longing are intertwined. He drives his four black-maned white horses tirelessly along the road, reflecting his unwavering commitment to his duty despite the emotional toll. “我驾驭着四匹黑鬃的白马，风驰电掣般在大路上奔忙。难道我不想回到我的家乡？不得已苦心创作这首诗歌，寄托我对母亲深深的怀想。” (I drive my four black-maned white horses, racing along the road. Do I not long to return to my homeland? Forced by necessity, I compose this poem to express my deep longing for my mother). The poem itself becomes an outlet for his emotions, a way to cope with his deep yearning and sorrow.
In summary, this poem powerfully captures the emotional turmoil of a government servant torn between his duty to the king and his longing for home. Through vivid imagery and heartfelt expressions, the poem explores themes of duty, longing, and the conflict between personal desires and responsibilities. The narrator’s journey, the exhaustion of the horses, and the freedom of the pigeons all serve to highlight his inner struggle and deep sorrow. Ultimately, the poem is a poignant reflection on the sacrifices made in the name of duty and the enduring longing for home and family.