Homebound Journey Along the Tiaoxi River

Introducion:

The poem starts with flowing water, which signifies rising nostalgia in him.   

Text:

Kè Fā Tiáo Xī

客 发  笤 溪

（清）叶燮(Qīng) Yè Xiè

 

kè xīn rú shuǐ shuǐ rú chóu

客 心 如  水     水   如   愁，

róng yì guī fān chèn jí liú

 容  易 归  帆    趁   疾流。

hū yà chuán chuāng sòng wú yǔ

忽  讶   船        窗         送   吴 语，

gù shān yuè yǐ guà chuán tóu

故   山     月  已  挂     船     头。

 

Homebound Journey Along the Tiaoxi River

(Qing)Ye Xie

My heart is like the waters which with a moaning flow,

When the boat homewards speeds with the swift-rolling stream.

All suddenly I hear the native voice sound outside the window,

And see above the bow the home moon so brightly gleam.

 

Comment

The poem starts with flowing water, which signifies rising nostalgia in him. Homebound in a boat, the poet naturally begins his lines describing the rolling water, which will rapidly carry him home and his aching heart for home as well. The swift water transforms his longing into reality. The poet is now lost in visualizing everything in his home village when he wakes to the familiar Wu dialect flowing in from outside the boat. Isn't it my home? Stepping ashore, the poet does find himself at the doorstep of his home and see the bright moon gleaming above the bow.