— Gao Shi
Yellow clouds spread for miles and miles have veiled the day;
The north wind blows down snow and wild geese fly away.
Fear not you’ve no admirers as you go along.
There is no connoisseur on earth but loves your song.
Note
Gao Shi (c. 704–765) was a major frontier poet of the High Tang Dynasty, known for his bold, realistic style and deep empathy for soldiers, wanderers, and displaced scholars. Unlike poets who idealized nature or solitude, Gao Shi often wrote with rugged honesty about hardship – and yet infused his work with resilience, dignity, and hope.
His poem “Farewell to Dong Da” is one of the most uplifting farewell poems in Chinese literature. Set on a bleak winter day, the opening lines paint a desolate scene:”A thousand miles of yellow clouds dim the sun; / The north wind drives wild geese through swirling snow.” The imagery evokes cold, isolation, and uncertainty – fitting for a parting in harsh times.
But instead of sorrow, Gao Shi offers powerful encouragement. To his friend Dong Da – a talented but struggling musician – he says: “Don’t worry that ahead you’ll find no true friends – / Who in this world doesn’t know your name?”
This famous closing couplet transforms despair into confidence. It’s not mere flattery; it’s a heartfelt affirmation of Dong Da’s worth in a world that may have overlooked him. In just 28 characters, Gao Shi turns a moment of separation into a timeless message of faith in human connection and personal value.
别董大
–高适
千里黄云白日曛，
北风吹雁雪纷纷。
莫愁前路无知己，
天下谁人不识君。
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