The Meaning of Plants (23)

离离原上草，the luxuriant field grass. This was a verse from白居易, who was a famous scholar at Tang Dynasty. It described the sadness of parting with friends. At that time, to live in the capital长安 was a luxurious hope for every youth but when 白居易 wrote this poem, his master said that you could afford to live in长安 with no worry.  For at that time if you were good in literature, you would pass the royal examination easily and after that you would be the high rank officer. When白居易 heard his master telling him this, he took this name of白居易, that白 was the surname居 meant live and易 meant easily. Now I translate the poem as:

离离原上草，the luxuriant field grass,

一岁一枯荣。It would be withered  and lush once a year.
野火烧不尽，the wild fire didn’t burn it up.

春风吹又生。The spring wind blow it recovery.
远芳侵古道，it’s good smell spread on the ancient road.

晴翠接荒城。It’s green colour covered the abandoned town.
又送王孙去，Again I bid farewell to my friend.

萋萋满别情。That is full with sadness.

Pic from: http://chinaenglish.com.cn/upload/2013-11/13111114228099.jpg