–Mao Zedong, October 1955
The spring river vast and wide awhile doth stray;
We climb tiered peaks, our vision cleared, far away.
Wind from green isles bears surging waves astray;
Rain from wild fields ascends the hills to stay.
By wine cups, we laugh and talk – old friends still gay;
Abroad, trivial strife like chicken–worm fray.
Mourn not how swiftly youth’s fair years decay;
Thirty years on, we stand at Hexi Terrace!
Note
Mao and Zhou Shizhao revisited their youth at Hunan First Normal School in October 1955; Mao wrote this poem as a responsive poem to Zhou Shizhao, who had sent Mao his own poem about climbing Yuelu Mountain (Changsha) together; the poem blends natural scenery, lifelong friendship, and philosophical calm about worldly trivialities.
Qilu (Seven-Syllable Octave)
A strict regulated verse form: 8 lines, 7 syllables each, tonal parallelism, single rhyme scheme. Used for formal, reflective, or commemorative themes.
Heshi (Responsive Poem)
Classical Chinese tradition: reply to a friend’s poem using the same rhyme scheme to express mutual respect, shared memories, or agreement.
Zhou Shizhao (1897–1976)
- Native of Ningxiang, Hunan; Mao’s classmate at Hunan First Normal School.
- Early member of the New People’s Study Society (Xinmin Xuehui).
- By 1955: Vice Director of Hunan Provincial Education Department & Principal of Hunan First Normal School.
- Lifelong friend and poetic correspondent; one of very few who regularly exchanged rhymed poems with Mao.
Spring river vast and wide
- Refers to the Xiang River (Changsha), Mao’s youth haunt.
- Symbol: life’s journey, enduring friendship.
Tiered peaks
Yuelu Mountain, Changsha; climbed by Mao and Zhou in 1955.
Green isles
Islets in the Xiang River; lush spring scenery.
By wine cups
- ancient wine vessel.
- Scene: Banter over drinks at Wangxiang Pavilion on Yuelu Mountain.
Abroad, chicken–worm trivialities
- Allusion: From Du Fu’s (Tang) Fowling Song: “Chicken and worm gains never end”.
- Meaning: Petty international disputes & power struggles are mean and sorrowful.
Shaohua
Literary term for youth, prime years.
Thirty years
~1925–1955: From their youth to revolutionary victory.
Hexi Terrace
- Historic platform at Yuelu Academy (Hunan’s ancient seat of learning).
- Symbol: Enduring friendship, continuity of culture, reunion across decades.
七律-和周世钊同志
春江浩荡暂徘徊，
又踏层峰望眼开。
风起绿洲吹浪去，
雨从青野上山来。
尊前谈笑人依旧，
域外鸡虫事可哀。
莫叹韶华容易逝，
卅年仍到赫曦台。
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