This poem was written by the poet in the sixth year of Huichang in the reign of Emperor Wuzong of Tang when he was living in Yongle. At that time, a group of cliques led by Niu Xinru and Li Deyu were fighting against each other. Li Shangyin was resentful of Linghu E of Niu’s clique because of marrying Wang Maoyuan’s daughter, so his situation was not satisfactory. So, he used the fallen flowers in the garden to express his sorrowful feelings about his life. The falling flowers and leaves express the poet’s sadness and emotion that he had always had great ambitions but was not used in the world. The whole poem is filled with the feeling of regret for the passing of spring and the flowers.
这首咏物诗是诗人于唐武宗会昌六年闲居永乐期间所作。当时以牛信孺为首和李德裕的一群的朋党互相倾轧，李商隐因娶王茂元之女一事，构怨于牛党的令狐鹗，因而境况很不如意。于是，便借园中的落花抒发自己忧伤身世之感。通过对花叶飘落表达了诗人素怀壮志，不见用于世的凄婉和感慨。全诗洋溢着伤春惜花之感。
《落花》 李商隐
高阁客竟去，小园花乱飞。
参差连曲陌，迢递送斜晖。
肠断未忍扫，眼穿仍欲归。
芳心向春尽，所得是沾衣。
Fallen Flowers
Li Shang-yin
From the tall pavilion the guests have all departed;
In the little garden, flowers fly, pell-mell.
They fall at random on the winding path,
And travel far, sending off the setting sun.
Heartbroken, I cannot bear to sweep them away;
Gazing hard, I watch them till few are left.
Their fragrant heart, following spring, dies;
What they have earned are tears that wet one’s clothes.
