Yearning for a Faraway Loved One
The vast fields lie fallow, untouched by the plow,
Wild grass grows tall and rampant.
Do not dwell on distant ones,
For worry and longing bring unease and distress.
The vast fields lie fallow, untouched by the plow,
Wild grass grows deep and lush.
Do not dwell on distant ones,
For worry and longing bring unease and regret.
Beautiful children draw affection,
Their tiny braids tied in little horns.
In just a few days apart,
He suddenly dons a crown, grown into maturity.
This poem, rich with emotional depth, portrays the pain of separation and the longing for a distant loved one. It begins with a vivid description of neglected fields and overgrown wild grass, symbolizing the neglect and sorrow felt in the absence of a loved one. The repetitive imagery of the barren fields underscores the sense of loss and the burden of separation.
The opening lines convey a scene of agricultural neglect due to the absence of a laborer. The fields, once potentially fertile, are now overrun by wild grass, reflecting the emotional turmoil of the speaker. This imagery serves as a metaphor for the emotional desolation experienced in the absence of the loved one. The repetition of “大田宽广不可耕” (The vast fields lie fallow, untouched by the plow) emphasizes the extent of the neglect and the speaker’s growing despair.
The poem’s emotional core lies in the refrain “切莫挂念远方人，惆怅不安心” (Do not dwell on distant ones, for worry and longing bring unease and distress). This plea to avoid dwelling on the absent loved one is deeply ironic. The speaker’s repeated urging to avoid such thoughts only highlights the depth of their own anguish and longing. The use of “切莫” (do not) underscores the speaker’s internal conflict and helplessness in the face of their own persistent thoughts.
As the poem transitions into the final stanza, the tone shifts from the tangible to the imaginary. The speaker envisions their distant loved one returning home and witnessing their child, who has suddenly grown from a small child with braids into a young adult. This vision of the child’s rapid growth symbolizes the passage of time and the speaker’s yearning for the loved one’s return. The imagery of the child suddenly donning a crown and reaching maturity is both a reflection of the speaker’s hope for a joyful reunion and a poignant reminder of the time lost during their absence.
The poem’s structure and use of repetition are essential to its emotional impact. The consistent imagery of the fallow fields and wild grass reinforces the theme of neglect and longing. The final vision of the grown child adds a layer of bittersweet anticipation, capturing the essence of waiting and the passage of time.
In terms of poetic form, the poem employs a technique of rhyming and repetition to enhance its emotional resonance. The first two stanzas use alternating rhyme schemes, while the third stanza features a continuous rhyme pattern. This structural choice helps to convey the poem’s rhythmic flow and emotional intensity.
The poem’s subtle beauty lies in its ability to evoke a deep sense of longing and the complex emotions associated with separation. By blending concrete imagery with imaginative vision, the poem captures the essence of yearning and the enduring hope for reunion. It serves as a timeless reflection on the challenges of separation and the emotional impact of distance on relationships.