Return to Live in Gardens and Fields: Five Poems: No. 2
(2)
野 外 罕 人 事
穷 巷 寡 轮 鞅。
白 日 掩 荆 扉
虚 室 绝 尘 想。
时 复 墟 曲 中
披 草 共 来 往。
相 见 无 杂 言
但 道 桑 麻 长。
桑 麻 日 已 长
我 土 日 已 广。
常 恐 霜 霰 至
零 落 同 草 莽。
(2)
Ye wai han ren shi
Qiong xiang gua lun yang.
Bai ri yan jing fei
Xu shi jue chen xiang.
Shi fu xu li ren
Pi cao gong lai wang.
Xiang jian wu za yan
Dan dao sang ma chang.
Sang ma ri yi chang
Wo tu ri yi guang.
Chang kong shuang xian zhi
Ling luo tong cao mang.
Return to Live in Gardens and Fields: Five Poems: No. 2
(2)
Open country, seldom partake in human affairs
Poor, narrow streets, few wheels and horses.
Even during the daytime, hide behind my bramble gate
Quiet heart, empty room, cut off from the ways of the world to reflect.
Time and again zig-zag through the middle of dilapidated houses
Separating the tall grasses allows me to come and go.
Seeing each other, villagers without many words
Only talk of mulberry trees and growing grasses.
The mulberries and grasses grow on and on
My land, with the passing of time grows in size.
Often afraid of cold frost and small hail
Most growing things would fall and wither.
Notes:
Bramble gate: Literally a gate from bushes, brush, and firewood. A metaphor for a dwelling of someone living in poverty and simplicity.
