《赠卫八处士》- 杜甫

This poem by Du Fu, titled "赠卫八处士" ("To the Eight Hermits of Wei"), captures the bittersweet emotions of a reunion with an old friend after a long separation. The poet reflects on the passage of time, the changes in their lives, and the enduring power of friendship.

《赠卫八处士》 作者：杜甫 人生不相见，动如参与商。今夕复何夕，共此灯烛光。 少壮能几时，鬓发各已苍。访旧半为鬼，惊呼热中肠。 焉知二十载，重上君子堂。昔别君未婚，儿女忽成行。 怡然敬父执，问我来何方？问答乃未已，驱儿罗酒浆。 夜雨剪春韭，新炊间黄粱。主称会面难，一举累十觞。 十觞亦不醉，感子故意长。明日隔山岳，世事两茫茫。

In life, we seldom meet, Like ships passing in the night. What night is this, I ask, That we share this candlelight?

Youthful days, how fleeting, they say, Our temples now with silver gray. Friends of old, half gone to dust, Their voices echo in my heart's deep gust.

Who knew that twenty years would pass, Before I'd stand in your hall at last? When we parted, you were still unwed, Now children line your table's spread.

They greet me with filial grace, Inquiring whence I come and race. Our questions flow without a pause, As they pour wine and bring the cause.

Spring chives snipped in night's soft rain, Yellow millet cooked in a new hearth's flame. Our host laments the rarity of our meeting, And raises ten cups, our friendship greeting.

Ten cups, yet I remain unfazed, Touched by your love, my spirit raised. Tomorrow, mountains will divide, And worldly matters will preside.

The first two lines set the scene for the poem, emphasizing the rarity of encounters in life. The poet compares their meeting to the passing of ships in the night, highlighting the fleeting nature of human connections.

In the third and fourth lines, the poet shifts his focus to the present moment, expressing his surprise and delight at being reunited with his friend. He asks, "What night is this, I ask, / That we share this candlelight?" underscoring the sense of unreality and the preciousness of their time together.

The following lines delve into the passage of time and the changes that have occurred in their lives. The poet laments the loss of youth and the passing of friends, using vivid imagery of "temples now with silver gray" and "friends of old, half gone to dust."

Despite the melancholic tone, the poem also conveys a sense of gratitude for the enduring friendship between the two men. The poet expresses his joy at seeing his friend's children and witnessing the continuation of their lineage.

In the middle section of the poem, the poet describes the warm and convivial atmosphere of their reunion. The children's respectful greetings, the shared stories and laughter, and the flowing wine all contribute to a sense of camaraderie and shared history.

The image of "spring chives snipped in night's soft rain" adds a touch of freshness and vitality to the scene, while the "yellow millet cooked in a new hearth's flame" suggests a sense of home and comfort.

The host's lament about the rarity of their meeting and his insistence on raising ten cups highlight the value they both place on their friendship. The poet, despite his own intoxication, remains unfazed, emphasizing the depth of their bond.

The final couplet brings the poem to a close with a sobering reminder of the impermanence of life. The poet acknowledges that tomorrow, "mountains will divide" and "worldly matters will preside," separating them once again.

The poem concludes with a sense of acceptance and appreciation for the fleeting nature of human connections. Despite the bittersweet emotions of parting, the poet cherishes the memories of their reunion and the enduring power of their friendship.