泊船瓜洲
Mooring at Guazhou
Original
京口瓜洲一水间，
钟山只隔数重山。
春风又绿江南岸，
明月何时照我还？
Translation
Jingkou and Guazhou lie but a river apart,
Zhongshan is just a few hill ranges away.
The spring wind turns the southern shore green again,
When will the bright moon light my way home?
Line by Line Analysis
About This Poem
This lyrical poem was composed when Wang Anshi was moored at Guazhou, en route to the Northern Song capital to launch his political reforms. It captures the poet’s quiet homesickness as he gazes at the familiar landscapes across the river. The iconic line "The spring wind turns the southern shore green again" showcases his meticulous word choice, using "green" as a verb to vividly depict the vibrant revival of spring. Beneath the serene scenery lies a subtle conflict: the poet’s sense of duty to serve the country clashes with his longing for the peace of his hometown Zhongshan, making the poem’s closing question resonate with universal feelings of longing and duty.
About the Poet
王安石
Wáng Ānshí
Wang Anshi (1021–1086), a prominent statesman, litterateur, and reformer of the Northern Song Dynasty. He led ambitious political reforms to address social and economic inequalities. As one of the "Eight Great Prose Masters of the Tang and Song Dynasties", his literary works are highly regarded. His poetry features concise language, deep philosophical undertones, and a subtle way of expressing emotions, often merging personal sentiments with reflections on society and the natural world.
Cultural & Historical Context
Historical Background: The Northern Song Dynasty faced pressing issues like land concentration, military inefficiency, and fiscal deficits, prompting calls for systemic reform. Cultural Background: Scholar-officials in this era embraced the integration of politics and literature, viewing poetry as a medium to express both personal emotions and ideological ideals. Social Background: Society valued bureaucratic achievement and literary excellence, allowing figures like Wang Anshi to balance high political office with artistic pursuits. Personal Experience: At the time of writing, Wang Anshi was being recalled to the capital after a period of voluntary retreat in his hometown, stopping briefly at Guazhou—a mere stone’s throw from his home. Creation Purpose: To articulate his inner conflict between his political ambition to implement reforms and his deep longing for the tranquility of his family and hometown. Artistic Features: The poem uses concise, vivid imagery, with the verb "green" standing out as a masterstroke of wordplay, blending natural scenery with intimate emotion to create a harmonious fusion of scene and sentiment, characteristic of classical Chinese lyric poetry’s emphasis on subtlety and resonance.