这是一首伤别的恋情之作，写别后的凄凉情景。此词没有事件的具体描述，通过一组意象反复诉说离愁的无处不在和无时不有。

晏几道 《蝶恋花·醉别西楼》

醉别西楼醒不记。
春梦秋云，
聚散真容易。
斜月半窗还少睡，
画屏闲展吴山翠。

衣上酒痕诗里字，
点点行行，
总是凄凉意。
红烛自怜无好计，
夜寒空替人垂泪。

The West Building
(To the Tune of Dielianhua)
Yan Jidao

What happened in the parting, in my cups
in the west building, I cannot remember, waking
from a drunk sleep.
Dreams in the spring,
Clouds in the autumn.
It is easy to meet, and to part too.
The moon slanting through the window,
I lie sleepless. The pained screen
unfolds, at its leisure,
the verdant southern mountains.

The wine-stains on the clothes,
the words in the poem, line
upon line, drop after drop,
all speak of melancholy.
Even the red candle feels helpless,
in the cold night, shedding tears
for me, in vain.