The Spirit Reborn - 現代詩解讀杜甫, #2

I have seen a young man, dressed in bright clothes and riding a proud horse, taking in all the blossoms of Chang'an in a single day. I have seen a young man, full of ambition and vitality, standing atop Mount Tai and surveying the world below, as if he could command it. I have seen a youth drifting upon a lake with fair maidens and talented companions, elegant and charismatic. I have seen a young scholar, gentle and refined, earnest in learning and sincere in his dealings with others.

I have seen a middle-aged man repeatedly frustrated in his career, exhausted by endless duties and social obligations, even forced to bow before the powerful. I have seen another middle-aged man caught in the chaos of war, separated from his family, wandering in exile, suffering imprisonment, yet still concerned with the pain of others—the heartbreak of newlyweds parting, the sorrow of those far from home, the plight of the elderly with no one to care for them—and still denouncing the cruelty and darkness of society.

I have seen an old man, weeping in the long, cold nights, alone in an unnoticed corner, speaking quietly to the moss along the wall, yet still caring for the homeless and suffering people outside. This man was Du Fu, born in 712, the great poet who, through his vast collection of works, chronicled the hardships and realities of his age.

The author of this volume has spent years studying Du Fu's most representative poems, uncovering unique insights and perspectives, and exploring the unspoken thoughts that Du Fu left unfinished. Today, his words continue to move us deeply, offering a vivid and compassionate account of a world marked by suffering, resilience, and humanity.