The first two lines describe the characteristics of hibiscus, which blooms in the cold autumn wind, and looks beautiful for a while, but unfortunately blooms in the morning and withers in the evening, and cannot last long. The last two lines are inspired by the similarities between the women in the harem and hibiscus, who are both helpless and their youth is fleeting.
前两句正是描写了木槿的特性，木槿花在寒凉的秋风里争相怒放，一时间看来风光无限，景色独好，只可惜朝发暮落，不能长久。后两句是有感于后宫女子与木槿何其相似，都那么身不由己，韶华易逝。
《槿花》 李商隐
风露凄凄秋景繁，可怜荣落在朝昏。
未央宫里三千女，但保红颜莫保恩。
Hibiscus Flowers
Li Shang-yin
Chill wind and dew repeat the autumn scene:
Pity! Flowers that bloom and fade in a day.
In the Emperor’s palace, three thousand girls:
Preserve your pretty faces, but not his grace.
