I live in the Yangtze River’s origin

I live in the Yangtze River’s origin

Zhiyi Li（1048～1117）

I live in the Yangtze River’s origin, (1)
You live in the Yangtze River’s tail.
I think of him, each day, but we can't meet. (2)
The drink we share is the Yangtze water.

When will the water stop flowing?(3)
When will this hatred ever end?
I only wish your heart's like my mine,
Surely, we won’t betray our longings! (4)

Understanding:

(1) Describe the living conditions of two people in seemingly simple language One of them lives at the origin of the river, the other at the tail, a distance of ten thousand miles. This great distance is the greatest challenge for the couple's feelings. The longing seems to last as long as the river flows; this intensifies the feeling.

(2) Although the lyricist does not express the woman's pain or grief, she uses simple words (Day in, day out, I’m longing, no chance again with you to meet!) to convey her deepest longing and sighs. Even though the two of them had few meetings and many partings, it was gratifying that they lived together on the bank of the Yangtze River, and the river became a bond and witness to their emotions. What we drink every day is the same water in the river; the river flowing through your door is also the scenery I have seen. Isn't this a twist of fate?

(3) I don't know when the river will stop flowing, and I don't know when the hatred in my heart will fade! On the surface, the woman is pouring out her "grievances" and her "hatred" will not pass until the river stops flowing. But on a deeper level, she writes about the strong belief in her feelings, that her longing for her beloved will never fade. A testament to her fidelity.

(4) From one's yearning to mutual lovesickness, the poem ends with the river flowing on and how both look at each other from afar, leaving a long aftertaste of their love like the broad waters of the river.