Member Poem

Du Fu (712-770)

At Fengji Relay Station

Sending Off General Yan with Four Rhymes

Going afar,

from now, we’re parted:

You’re leaving for green hills

and I’m feeling empty again.

How long will it be

before we share the wine glasses once more?

For just last night

we walked together beneath the moon.

The counties of Sichuan

all sing their mournful songs of praise

For you, who served the coming-and-going

of three emperors, all with honor.

But I will go to my little cottage,

returning alone,

in silent solitude

for the remainder of my days.

Dù Fǔ

Fèng jì yì chóng sòng yán gōng sì yùn

遠送從此別，

远送从此别，

Yuǎn sòng cóng cǐ bié,

青山空復情。

青山空复情。

Qīng shān kōng fù qíng.

幾時杯重把，

几时杯重把，

Jǐ shí bēi chóng bǎ,

昨夜月同行。

Zuó yè yuè tóng xíng.

列郡謳歌惜，

列郡讴歌惜，

Liè jùn ōu gē xī,

三朝出入榮。

三朝出入荣。

Sān cháo chū rù róng.

將村獨歸處，

将村独归处，

Jiāng cūn dú guī chù,

Jìmò yǎng cán shēng.

Birchleaf-pear-tree Man=Du Fu(712-770)

Feng/offer/receive Ji/help/aid/ferry/cross Post-horse/relay-station again/repeat/heavy see-off/send/ carry/deliver/give(as a present) Yan Duke/honorable-gentleman/official four beautiful-sound/rhyme/appeal/charm/vowel

[Feng Ji Post-horse/relay-station=A station now in Mianyang, Sichuan.], [Yan Duke/honorable-gentleman/male/ fair/just= Mr. Yan, who’s the leader of the local troop.], [four beautiful-sound/rhyme/appeal/charm/vowel = four rhymes, because for regular-verse poetry, all even verses need to rhyme.]

遠送從此別，

Far/distant/remote see-off/send-off from/by/via/passing-through this/these leave/depart

[from/by/via/passing-through this= from now on, since then, henceforce]

青山空復情。

Green hills/mountains vacant/empty/deserted go-and-return/repeat/again/repeatedly feeling/sentiment/emotion

[Green hills= a hint of good spirits or good life]

幾時杯重把，

What/how-much?/how-many?/a-few time/season cup/glass heavy/weighty/double hold/grasp/take-hold-of/handle

昨夜月同行。

Last/yesterday/in-former-times/past night moon together-with/same/similar journey/travel/walk

[together-with journey = journey together]

列郡謳歌惜，

Line-up/row/column/arrange-in-order county/region/administrative-division sing/ballad/folk-song song/lyrics/sing/chant pity/regret/rue/begrudge

[Line-up/row/column county/region=the east and west counties belonged to Sichuan.], [sing/ballad/folk-song song= eulogize, song of praise], [note: General Yan was leaving his post, so the people conveyed their regret.]

三朝出入榮。

Three dynasty/reign-of-an-emperor go-out/send-out/produce come-in/enter glory/honor/thriving/flourish

[Three dynasty/reign-of-an-emperor=  General Yan had served 3 emperors in Tang.], [go-out come-in glory/honor/thriving= describes Yan was holding an important post.]

將村獨歸處，

Shall/will/going-to/future village/hamlet alone/single/only/solitary return/go-back place/location

[Shall= other variation shows this is another “jiang”, means river.], [note: river village refers to Du Fu’s residence cottage near the creek. Now it’s a famous scenic area.]

Silent/solitary/still/quiet/desolate lonesome/lonely/silent/solitary raise/bring-up/support remain/survive/remnant /injure/broken life/living/lifetime