The Lingering Sorrow of Parting: A Portrait of Longing in Ancient China
In the stillness of the morning, a once-gilded bronze incense burner, shaped like a mythical beast, sits cold and unused. The rich red silk bedding lies in disarray on the bed, resembling waves of crimson, untouched by the hand of the weary occupant. The sense of neglect extends to a luxurious vanity case, now dusty, and the morning sunlight falls languidly upon the curtain hooks. The air is heavy with the melancholy of impending separation, as I grapple with the difficulty of bidding farewell and the depth of unspoken feelings.
As dawn breaks, I rise with a languid indifference, lacking the energy or desire to groom myself. The vanity mirror, once a symbol of elegance, now gathers dust, and the sunlight barely penetrates the room’s gloom. The thought of saying goodbye fills me with dread. I have so many sentiments to express, yet each attempt to voice them is thwarted by a deep reluctance. The recent weight loss, noticeable yet unexplained, is neither due to excess alcohol nor the melancholy of autumn but rather the emotional toll of this separation.
“Enough is enough,” I think. Even if I were to sing the farewell song “Yangguan” a thousand times, it would not change the inevitable. The thought of my beloved going far away leaves me alone in this empty chamber, with only the flow of the river outside reflecting my solitary vigil. As I gaze into the distance, the longing only grows, adding to a new layer of sorrow that will accompany me daily.
This piece of poetry, composed shortly after the poet’s marriage, poignantly captures the deep feelings of longing and melancholy experienced as Zhao Mingcheng departs. The lines “the incense has grown cold in the golden incense burner” and “the red silk bedding is tossed in disarray” evoke a sense of cold detachment and sorrow. The golden incense burner, with its lion-like figure, symbolizes the warmth and comfort that have now dissipated. The disheveled bedding reflects the poet’s state of mind, mirroring her inner turmoil.
The poet’s reluctance to rise and groom herself is not merely physical laziness but a reflection of her emotional exhaustion. The luxurious vanity case, now covered in dust, and the sunlight that barely touches the curtain hooks, underscore the depth of her melancholy. The term “languid” or “慵” (yōng) is crucial here, capturing the profound sense of emotional and physical weariness that defines her current state.
The poet’s expression of sorrow is further intensified by her realization that even countless renditions of the farewell song “Yangguan” cannot retain her beloved. This song, a traditional farewell tune from the Tang and Song dynasties, represents the finality of their parting and the depth of her sorrow.
The references to “Wuling people” and “smoke-locked Qin Tower” poignantly convey the emotional distance and separation. The term “Wuling people” alludes to the beloved’s distant location, using a historical reference to express the poet’s longing. The “Qin Tower,” also known as Feng Tower, is associated with a legendary story of a couple ascending to the heavens. In this context, it symbolizes the poet’s own solitude and the emotional distance from her departing husband.
The flowing river outside the tower serves as a reflective surface, mirroring the poet’s daylong vigil and deep yearning. The river, indifferent and impassive, contrasts with the poet’s intense and personal grief, highlighting the isolation and emotional depth of her sorrow.
In the final verses, the poet contemplates the additional sorrow that will come with the days and distance. The “new sorrow” that begins with her husband’s departure and continues as she remains alone underscores the increasing intensity of her emotional pain. This sorrow will only grow with time and distance, adding to the poet’s ever-deepening sense of loss and longing.
The poem, while steeped in historical and cultural references, maintains a tone of simplicity and deep emotional resonance. It uses vivid imagery and heartfelt expression to depict the profound melancholy of separation, capturing the universal experience of longing and the heartache of parting. Through meticulous description and emotive language, the poet conveys a poignant and enduring sentiment that transcends time and place.