Mid-Autumn Moon: A Poet’s Reflections on Home and Unity
By [Your Name], Former Senior Journalist at Xinhua News Agency, People’sDaily, CCTV, Wall Street Journal, and New York Times
The Mid-Autumn Festival, a time of reunion and celebration, has long inspired poets andartists to capture its essence. This year, the Chinese poet Dong Zhang Xi Wang Ke penned two poignant poems, Seven-Character Quatrain: Mid-Autumn and He Xin Lang: Mid-Autumn, that resonate with the universal themes of longing, unity, and the enduring power of the moon.
In the first poem, Seven-Character Quatrain: Mid-Autumn,the poet expresses a deep sense of longing for home. He writes, A lifetime of wishes, rarely fulfilled, / Laying aside worries, sleep comes easily. / Leaning on my pillow, what do I lack? / A wholefamily gazing at the moon, how many times has it been round? The poem captures the bittersweet feeling of being away from loved ones during this special occasion, yet finding solace in the shared experience of gazing at the moon.
The second poem, He Xin Lang: Mid-Autumn, delves deeper into the poet’semotional journey. He reflects on the passage of time, the fleeting nature of youth, and the enduring power of memories. With whom can I share my hundred feelings? / Over mountains and rivers, cricket sounds and wild goose shadows, changing times and scenery. / I’ve poured my youth into autumn’s brewing, /Mixing dew, frost, rain, and snow. / Empty sighs, adding more white hair. / Looking back on the years, I think of quiet nights, / Mixed joy and sorrow, it’s the reunion festival again. / Love lingers, how long will it rest? / The shrike flies away, peoplepart. / Pursuing a career, a heroic spirit for thousands of miles, a tender heart with a thousand knots. / Young and leaving home, my heart is still there, / Home dreams linger deep in my bones. / The road is far, don’t need to worry about being heartbroken. / I sendmy wishes to the bright moon, / May the world share the moon equally. / In the corners of heaven and earth, together we wax and wane.
The poet’s use of vivid imagery and evocative language paints a picture of both personal and collective longing. He acknowledges the challenges of being away from home,but ultimately finds solace in the shared experience of gazing at the moon, a symbol of unity and connection. The poem concludes with a hopeful message, wishing for a world where everyone can share in the beauty and blessings of the Mid-Autumn Moon.
These poems serve as a powerful reminder of the enduring themes of home, family,and unity that resonate across cultures and generations. They invite us to reflect on our own experiences of longing and connection, and to appreciate the shared human experience that binds us together.
References:
- Dong Zhang Xi Wang Ke, 七律•中秋（外一首） [Seven-Character Quatrain:Mid-Autumn (and another poem)], 华人头条 [Huaren Toutiao], September 17, 2024.
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