[updated October 2022]
From Gong City, By Boat Go Down the Luo to the Yellow River, Mail This to Fu Xian, A Government Official Friend
自 巩 洛 舟 行 人 黄 河 即 事 寄 府 县 僚 友
夹 水 苍 山 路 向 东
东 南 山 豁 大 河 通。
寒 树 依 微 远 天 外
夕 阳 明 灭 乱 流 中。
孤 村 几 岁 临 伊 岸
一 雁 初 晴 下 朔 风。
为 报 洛 阳 游 宦 侣
扁 舟 不 系 与 心 同。
Zi Gong Luo Zhou Xing Ren Huang He Ji Shi Ji Fu Xian Liao You
Jia shui cang shan lu xiang dong
Dong nan shan huo da he tong.
Han shu yi wei yuan tian wai
Xi yang ming mie luan liu zhong.
Gu cun ji sui lin yi an
Yi yan chu qing xia shuo feng.
Wei bao luo yang you huan lu
Bian zhou bu ji you xin tong.
From Gong City, By Boat Go Down the Luo to the Yellow River, Mail This to Fu Xian, To a Government Official Friend
Moving east on churning waters and through green mountains
Mountains to the south and east split open for the large rivers.
At the horizon, distant cold trees very small
Setting sun becomes bright, then dims on the undulating river.
For several years worked at a solitary riverbank village
I am like one wild goose, beginning to take off with the north wind.
Made this letter for a Luoyang associate
My heart on a flat boat that is not moored.
Notes:
Gong City: Another name for the ancient capital city of Chang’an.
Luo River: Tributary of the Yellow River in Henan Province.
Fu Xian: A prefecture’s name
Churning waters: The confluence of the Luo and Yellow Rivers.