The spirit and expression of poetry and music have been the universal language in culture and civilization for centuries. Many long-standing traditions of poetry have emerged throughout Asia, in places like Persia, Japan, Korea and Byzantium. In the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, poetry went on the rise yet again, with a new rebirth of styles and messages, particularly that of China. A young man by the name of Xu Zhimo wrote one of the most influential poems about modern Chinese culture, which is still widely read and studied today. Its title: Farewell to Cambridge, or 再别康桥. 
Xu Zhimo was born as Xu Zhangxu in Haining, Zhejiang Province in 1897. As a product ofan affluent upbringing and environment, he went on to graduate from the famed Hangzhou High School. After his studies there, he went on to Peiyang University, now called Tianjin University. He married the love of his life, Zhang Youyi, and moved to Beijing to study at Peking University in 1917. A year later, he moved to the United States to study economics and political science at Columbia University, and changed his last name to what we recognize today. After his time in the United States, he traveled to Cambridge, UK to study literature, which paved the way for one of his most important works. While at Kings College, Cambridge, he studied the vernacular style of writing. This meant that people of all races, or upbringings would be able to study and analyze this type of prose. This is where he realized his dream of being a writer. Xu returned to China in 1922, writing his works in the vernacular and using foreign influences. This literature element in his works gave him respect as a leader in the poetry movement. Along with being an editor for Beijing’s most prestigious newspaper, he created the Crescent Moon Book Company, a forum to display the exchange of Chinese ideals with Western literature and philosophy. Sadly, in 1931, Xu Zhimo died in a plane crash while traveling from Nanjing to Beijing, to speak at Peking University. He was 34. 
Xu Zhimo is known best for his poetic memoir about his time in Cambridge, studying the vernacular and finally evolving into a writer. There are many portions of 再别康桥 that speak out to the reader, and provide a deep meaning about his experiences. Firstly, the lines of “那河畔的金柳，是夕阳中的新娘；波光里的艳影，在我的心头荡漾” show that the university, as well as city’s natural beauty has made such an impression on his life, in the way he will continue to write in the future. “The willow of gold there at the river’s side is a bride in the waning sun; her likeness resplendent in the shimmering water is a ripple in the deeps of my heart” is the English literal translation of the statement above. Secondly, “但我不能放歌，悄悄是別離的笙簫；夏蟲也為我沉默，沉默是今晚的康橋” are another set of lines that reflect the physical and emotional journey of Xu Zhimo. Figuratively, this shows that since he is dealing with his nostalgia of Cambridge, he cannot speak anymore, as “peace is his music of farewell.” Even something noisy in the night as a cricket, anything is silent for him at this moment. The English translation is as follows: “Yet now I cannot sing out loud, Peace is my farewell music; even crickets are now silent for me, For Cambridge this evening is silent.” Finally, the culminating stanza might be the most symbolic of the entire poem. The stanza is as follows: “悄悄的我走了，正如我悄悄的來；我揮一揮衣袖，不帶走一片雲彩.” This reveals how Xu Zhimo is leaving Cambridge, with an open mind and a quiet one, just the same as the way he entered all those years past. Yet, the interesting observation is that he only waves a sleeve and doesn’t “take a cloud.” This statement is allegorical, in that he is emotional on the inside, yet carrying himself with such quietness, poise and dignity on the outside.
There are numerous tributes to Xu Zhimo and his thoughtful and modern prose. An engraved stone with the first and last two lines of this poem was placed at the Backs of Kings College, Cambridge as an honor to his contributions. In addition, songs and lyrical variations have been produced by Chinese songwriter Chin Tsai, as well as a pop group called S. H. E., pairing the prose with calm and upbeat music. These adaptations (see links below) bring a modern flare to a timeless, ageless and everlasting message of 再别康桥.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ml8pT2c_xlE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0Hqg725h48
Some of the information and photos came from the following sources.
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Xu-Zhimo
https://supchina.com/2017/11/16/the-great-romantic-of-20th-century-chinese-poetry-xu-zhimo/
You read his poem when you came to our school, you read it so well.
Xu-Zhimo is one of my favorite modern Chinese poets. You remind me a lot of my old time craze about his poetry. You did a great job. I will share your writing with my students. 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼Thanks for writing about him!
This poem is included in the high school Chinese textbook in China. I remembered teaching my students about it by reading it aloud millions of times, and we never get bored. It is a piece of poem that the more you read it aloud, the more you like it, the better you feel it. I think the beauty of the poem is not only lies in its literal meaning but in its soft yet catchy rhythm.
Thank you for sharing this great piece with us, Matthew! It is simply not easy for you to interpret its meaning and the emotion behind it. Amazing effort!!!
I greatly enjoyed reading your analysis and interpretation of this famous poem. It’s clear that you truly understand the author’s immense emotion behind his words. Such a fitting title as well — these sentiments he writes about are “timeless”, and you explained them in a way that makes his words relatable to everyone. Wonderful piece!
I think Xu Zhimo’s poems are extremely fascinating, and I love how many times they have meanings deeper than the literal meaning of the poem. They’re very emotional and beautiful works.
I didn’t know I’d love this so much, it just has so much meaning! Good job writing this article, it made my day.
Wow, I learned so much from this article, Matt! I learned so much about Xu Zhimo’s life and how he came to write this famous poem. I loved that I was able to read about your interpretations of this poem and the meanings behind each line. It was so beautifully written and I really enjoy reading your articles! Thanks so much for sharing!
It was pretty interesting learning about the life of Xu Zhimo. Although I could not understand the poetry without the translations I still liked to read about his travels.
It is interesting to read about his travels and the way he died in the plane accident. Although I have not read any of his poems, I feel that they would be good to read.
I didn’t know that Xu Zhimo died in a plane crash when he was flying from Nanjing to Beijing! I also didn’t know that he died at such a young age.
That was a very interesting and informative article. It was sad how he died. I learned a lot from reading this article. Thank you!
I learned a lot of new things reading this article. Good job!
I have learned so much about Xu Zhimo who I never even heard of before! I learned that he wrote many poems about modern culture. I learned he is best known for his time in Cambridge where he evolved to become a writer.
Great article Matthew! I have never heard of this poem, but it sounds great! My favorite line is the last line of the poem about him saying goodbye to Cambridge! I also agree with your interpretation that this line is allegorical in nature because he is leaving Cambridge the same way he entered, only now he only “waves a sleeve.” Great job!
Prior to this article, I’ve never heard of Xu Zhimo. I didn’t know he was a famous poet of his time and traveled to America and England to study. I can’t believe he was a writer for Beijing’s best newspaper and founded a book company. These actions just show his love for writing and literature. Great article!
I’ve always loved Chinese poetry. One character could completely alter the course of the poem. Xu Zhimo sounded like such a romantic poet who truly appreciated the world’s beauty. Additionally, amazing job interpreting the lines of poetry. Another great article! Keep up the great work!
Chinese poetry is very intriguing and I would really love to read more maybe even write one myself. I have never really thought about Chinese poetry until I read this article. Now I am going to research more.
This article is so beautifully written! It really got me thinking more about Chinese poetry, and the beauty that lies within the words. I love to write poetry in English, so maybe with some help I can expand past that and write something in Chinese!
Nice Matthew. It is so interesting to see how Xi Zhimo really expressed himself in more ways than one. His combination of Chinese, American, and British writing techniques in his poems truly bring out what makes his poems so famous. Even reading the English interpretation, his poems sound beautifully written and contain many illustrative metaphors that really paint a picture in the mind of the reader. Not only is Zhimo’s story a testament to the power of poetry, but also to how exposing and immersing yourself in different cultures and education is truly beneficial.