The Tomb-visiting Day

Introducion:

The Pure Brightness Festival (around 5th of April by solar calendar) traditionally associates with the custom of visiting the tombs of ancestors and late family members and of going sightseeing in the spring with friends or relatives.   

 

Text:

Qīng Míng

  清    明  

杜牧(唐)

 

Qīng míng shí jié yǔ fēn fēn ，lù shàng xíng rén yù duàn hún 。

清    明     时 节  雨 纷 纷 ，路 上     行    人   欲  断   魂  。

Jiè wèn jiǔ jiā hé chù yǒu，mù tóng yáo zhǐ xìng huā cūn。

借  问  酒 家  何 处  有  ， 牧  童   遥   指  杏   花   村 。

 

The Tomb-visiting Day

Du Mu (Tang)

 

The ceaseless drizzles drips all the dismal day,

So broken-hearted fares the traveler on the way.

When asked where could be found a tavern bower,

A cowboy points to yonder village of the apricot flower.

 

Comment:

 

The Pure Brightness Festival (around 5th of April by solar calendar) traditionally associates with the custom of visiting the tombs of ancestors and late family members and of going sightseeing in the spring with friends or relatives. In the poem the traveler walking alone in the ceaseless spring drizzles in a strange place, feels all the more lonely, melancholy and dismayed. He is so troubled and disheartened that he is on the brink of breaking down. However, he won't lie down under loneliness and distress. Stirring himself up, he hurries along to find a tavern for a drink so that he can mix with cheerful people and wine. So the carefree boy points to the apricot woods. The poem ends on a broad vision graced with freshness and delight.