Song of the Wanderer - Meng Jiao

Synopsis

Song of the Wanderer is Tang poet Meng Jiao's most famous poem, celebrating the greatness of a mother's love.

The Poem

The loving mother's hand holds thread. The wanderer's body wears the clothes.
Before departure, stitch by stitch, dense seams. Fearing a late return.
Who says the inch-grass heart can repay the three spring suns' warmth?

About the Poet

Meng Jiao (751-814) was a Tang Dynasty poet known for his bitter style of poetry, paired with Jia Dao.

Analysis

This poem begins with the daily scene of a mother sewing clothes for her departing son. The mother stitches densely, fearing her son's delayed return. The final lines ask: how can a child's small heart ever repay the warmth of a mother's love, like the sunshine of spring?

The final two lines have become the most classic expression of gratitude to mothers in Chinese literature.

References

1. Baidu Baike: You Zi Yin
2. Gushiwen Network
3. Tang Poetry Studies