Love and Longing by the Pond

Translation:

The pond’s embankment rises high, bordered by fragrant reeds and blooming lotus flowers. In the midst of this tranquil setting stands a strikingly handsome figure, making my heart yearn uncontrollably. Day and night, my thoughts are consumed by him, and sleep eludes me, leaving me in tears and distress.

The pond’s embankment is elevated, surrounded by lotus pods and reeds. Over there, a dashing figure captivates me with his tall and graceful form. My days are plagued by relentless longing, and my nights are restless, burdened by sorrow and anxiety.

The pond’s embankment remains tall, encircled by vibrant lotus flowers and lush reeds. That captivating figure, with his elegant demeanor and perfect physique, occupies my every thought. I lie awake through the night, turning restlessly, troubled by the weight of my affection and the longing that overwhelms me.

Analysis and Context:

This poem, structured in three stanzas with eighteen lines, encapsulates the protagonist’s deep and unrequited love. Each stanza mirrors the others in its depiction of the pond’s surroundings and the resulting emotional turmoil caused by the sight of the beloved. The imagery of the pond, with its lotus flowers and reeds, symbolizes the protagonist’s emotional state and longing.

The choice of flora—fragrant reeds, lotus flowers, and lotus pods—serves to highlight the protagonist’s feelings. These plants, thriving by the water’s edge, reflect the vitality and beauty of the protagonist’s emotions. The recurrent mention of these plants underscores the consistency of the protagonist’s longing and the serene but intense backdrop against which their emotions unfold.

In the Spring and Autumn periods, and during the Warring States era, there was considerable freedom for women in terms of expressing their affections. Unlike later periods dominated by Confucian ideologies, this era saw love and desire expressed openly and honestly, as seen in this poem. The protagonist’s feelings are straightforward and heartfelt, revealing a depth of emotion that transcends mere physical attraction.

The poem’s repeated motifs of the pond and the flora emphasize the natural beauty surrounding the protagonist, which contrasts with the inner turmoil experienced due to unfulfilled love. The protagonist’s intense yearning and sleepless nights are depicted with vivid imagery, capturing the essence of longing and the emotional weight of unrequited love.

This piece reflects a sincere and emotional expression of love, devoid of pretense. The protagonist’s admiration for the beloved is profound, characterized by a mix of affection, anxiety, and hope. The imagery and emotional tone convey a clear message: the protagonist is deeply affected by their unreturned feelings, unable to find solace in the beauty of their surroundings.

Overall, the poem presents a poignant exploration of love and longing, using natural imagery to convey the depth of human emotion. The clear depiction of the protagonist’s feelings and the beautiful, yet melancholic setting provide a rich and evocative portrayal of love’s complexities.