[updated September 2022]
On December Twenty Eighth Given an Imperial Pardon, Sent to Huangzhou in a Low Level Position in the Ministry of Waterworks: Two Poems
十 二 月 二 十 八 日，蒙 恩 责 授 检 校 水 部 员 外 郎 黄 州 团 练 副 使，复 用 前 韵：二 首
(1)
百 日 归 期 恰 及 春
余 年 乐 事 最 关 身。
出 门 便 旋 风 吹 面
走 马 联 翩 鹊 啅 人。
却 对 酒 杯 浑 似 梦
试 拈 诗 笔 已 如 神。
此 灾 何 必 深 追 咎
窃 禄 从 来 岂 有 因。
(2)
平 生 文 字 为 五 累
此 去 声 名 不 厌 低。
塞 上 纵 归 他 日 马
城 东 不 斗 少 年 鸡。
休 官 彭 泽 贫 无 酒
隐 几 维 摩 病 有 妻。
堪 笑 睢 阳 老 从 事
为 余 投 檄 向 江 西。
Shi Er Yue Er Shi Ba Ri, Meng En Ze Shou Jian Jiao Shui Bu Yuan Wai Lang Huang Zhou Tuan Lian Fu Shi, Fu Yong Qian Yun: Er Shou
(1)
Bai ri gui qi qia ji chun
Yu nian le shi zui guan shen.
Chu men bian xuan feng chui mian
Zou ma lian pian que zhuo ren.
Que dui jiu bei hun si meng
Shi nian shi bi yi ru shen.
Ci zai he bi shen zhui jiu
Qie lu cong lai qi you yin.
(2)
Ping sheng wen xue wei wu lei
Ci qu sheng ming bu yan di.
Sai shang zong gui ta ri ma
Cheng dong bu dou shao nian ji.
Xiu guan peng ze pin wu lei
Yin ji wei mo bing you qi.
Kan xiao sui yang lao cong shi
Wei yu tou xi xiang jiang xi.
On December Twenty Eighth Given an Imperial Pardon, Sent to Huangzhou in a Low Level Position in the Ministry of Waterworks: Two Poems
(1)
After 130 days in jail, released in time for the new year
Happiness, best things of life at the year’s end.
Go out, wind blows me around like a leaf
Riding my horse, flying magpies call out to me.
Holding a wine cup, simple things like a dream
Like a deity with a brush in hand, the poetry flows.
After my misfortune, do not need to find any blame
While in jail I still received my government salary.
(2)
All my life I have worked hard to make poems
From now on I will write and work under the radar in a low-ranking position.
Who could have guessed this misfortune was actually a blessing in disguise
I do not need to be a palace camp follower.
Tao Yuanming was so poor he had no wine after retiring from the government
Unlike Wei Mo, I cannot go be a monk because I have a family.
May my brother endure and survive his troubles and exile
after sending petitions on my behalf
Imperial orders have been sent him to Jiangxi.
Notes:
Flying magpies: Singing a song like our “Show Me the Way to Go Home”
Tao Yuanming (365-427): Famous poet from the Eastern Jin Dynasty.
His work and biography can also be found on this website.
Wei Mo (793-858): Long serving high level government official during the Tang Dynasty. In his later years became ill and requested a low level assignment that would take very little effort and responsibility.
Jiangxi: Chinese province
Commentary:
Su Dongpo had spent some time in prison as a political prisoner. It was usually either that or be exiled to some far-flung corner of the empire. Some things never seem to change.