The Reed
excerpt from <the Book of Songs>
Green, green the reed, dew and frost gleam;
Where is she I need? Beyond the stream.
Upstream I go, the way is long;
Downstream I go, she is there among.
White, white the reed, dew not yet dried;
Where is she I need? On the other side.
Upstream I go, hard is the way;
Downstream I go, she is far away.
Bright, bright the reed, dew and frost blend;
Where is she I need? At river’s end.
Upstream I go, the way does wind;
Downstream I go, she is far behind.
The Book of Songs is the earliest collection of Chinese poetry, with a total of 305 poems, divided into three parts: Feng, Ya, and Song. It covers a wide range of content, including social life and folk customs from the Western Zhou Dynasty to the Spring and Autumn Period. It is an important classic in the history of Chinese literature and has a far-reaching cultural influence. The Book of Songs is concise in language and sincere in emotion. Many works are still being sung today, showing the ancients' unique perception and expression of nature, life, and society.
"The Reed" is a popular poem in the Book of Songs, which conveys a profound emotional theme. The poem expresses the author's deep longing and desire for his lover by describing the scene of the reeds growing by the water. The poem uses the vast natural scenery as the background to show the loneliness and sorrow in love. Then it further expresses the deep yearning for that person and the endless care in the heart. The whole poem expresses the sense of distance and expectation between lovers through the metaphor of natural scenery, and also symbolizes the pursuit of beautiful love.
In its artistic expression, "The Reed" uses repetitive rhetoric, such as "Green, green the reed." and "Where is she I need?", which form the rhythm of the poem and enhance the expression of emotion. The poet integrates love and longing into the natural scene through the description of the reeds by the water, presenting a gentle and deep emotional atmosphere, which leaves a deep impression on people.