The Last Look at the Peonies at Night
- Poetry of Bai Juyi

《惜牡丹花 · 其一》

English Rendering

I'm saddened by the courtyard peonies brilliant red,

At dusk only two of them are left on their bed.

I am afraid they can't survive the morning blast,

By lantern light I take a look at the long, long last.

The Last Look at the Peonies at Night by Bai Juyi

Original Text (中文原文)

惆怅阶前红牡丹，晚来唯有两枝残。

明朝风起应吹尽，夜惜衰红把火看。

Analysis & Context

Bai Juyi is known for his delicate emotions and accessible language. His poetry not only depicts reality but also conveys his reflections on life. This poem, Regret for the Peony Flowers, is one of his later works, written during his retirement. At this point, the poet had already experienced the ups and downs of his career and had deep feelings about the impermanence of life. The peony, long a symbol of wealth and prosperity, is fading before the poet's eyes, triggering his sorrow. On the surface, the poem speaks of the sadness of flowers wilting, but it also embodies the poet's thoughts on the fleeting nature of life and the transience of beauty.

Reader's Companion

The Essence of the Verse

Classical Chinese poetry thrives on Concision and Ambiguity. Without tense or number, the words create a timeless space where the reader becomes the co-creator of the poem's meaning.

Reading Between the Lines

Look for Contrasts: light and shadow, movement and stillness. Don't just translate the words; feel the Yijing (artistic conception) that lingers long after the last character.

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