English Rendering
My Japanese friend Abe left the imperial shore,
His single sail turned round for the three Fairy Isles.
The moon has sunk in the sea to return no more,
The land's overspread with gloomy clouds for miles and miles.
Elegy on Abe Nakamaroo
- Poetry of Li Bai (Li Po)
《哭晁卿衡》
Original Text (中文原文)
日本晁卿辞帝都，征帆一片绕蓬壶。
明月不归沉碧海，白云愁色满苍梧。
Analysis & Context
Abe Nakamaro came to China(referred to as the imperial shore in this poem)in 717at the age of 20 and did not return to Japan (referred to as the three Fairy Isles)till the winter of 753.It was rumoured that he(referred to as the moon)was drowned in the sea and Li Bai wrote this poem.
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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