[updated September 2022]
Traveled to Pengya: Part 1
Part 1:
彭 衙 行
忆 昔 避 贼 初
北 走 经 险 艰。
夜 深 彭 衙 道
月 照 白 水 山。
尽 室 久 徒 步
逢 人 多 厚 颜。
参 差 谷 鸟 吟
不 见 游 子 还。
痴 女 饥 咬 我
啼 畏 虎 狼 闻。
怀 中 掩 其 口
反 侧 声 愈 嗔。
小 儿 强 解 事
故 索 苦 李 餐。
一 旬 半 雷 雨
泥 泞 相 牵 攀。
既 无 御 雨 备
径 滑 衣 又 寒。
有 时 经 契 阔
竟 日 数 里 间。
野 果 充 鍭 粮
卑 枝 成 屋 椽。
早 行 石 上 水
暮 宿 天 边 烟。
Peng Ya Xing
Yi xi bi zei chu
Bei zou jing xian jian.
Ye shen peng ya dao
Yue zhao bai shui shan.
Jin shi jiu tu bu
Feng ren duo hou yan.
Can cha gu niao yin
Bu jian you zi huan.
Chi nu ji yao wo
Ti wei hu lang wen.
Huai zhong yan qi kou
Fan ce sheng yu chen.
Xiao er jiang jie shi
Gu suo ku li can.
Yi xun ban lei yu
Ni ning xiang qian pan.
Ji wu yu yu bei
Jing hua yi you han.
You shi jing qi kuo
Jing ri shu li jian.
Ye guo chong hou liang
Bei zhi cheng wu chuan.
Zao xing shi shang shui.
Mu su tian bian yan.
Traveled to Pengya: Part 1
At the beginnings of evil, recall in former days we hid in the cliffs
Walking north, endured dangers and difficulties.
Dark evenings on the Pengya highway
Clear moonlight on the mountains and rivers.
For a long time most families are on foot
Before, had a friend who took us in and helped us.
Pass this way again, hear valley bird songs
On this return do not see him, he is away from home.
My daughters so hungry they nitpicked me
Afraid their cries will attract tigers and wolves.
Holding them close, trying to cover their mouths
But with this they cry even louder.
My son tells me that he understands my plight
He picks some plums, tells me there is no reason to suffer.
Last ten days, half of them with thunderstorms
Have to pull each other out of the mud.
Cannot fully protect oneself from the rainfall
Clothes cold, footprints slippery.
Sometimes have to work hard all day
Throughout the days, little daily progress.
Eat fruits and grains, living off of the land
Low-lying branches becomes our bedroom’s rafters.
At daybreak, travel over wet rocks and stones
Sunset, stay overnight at the edge of mists.
Notes:
Pengya: Located in central Shanxi Province. Established in (827-782 BC), and is currently a UNESCO site. See Pingyao.
Commentary:
This poem is representative of several that describe the hardships of families migrating through the countryside fleeing the violence and hardships of war. During this post-An Lushan rebellion period, scenes like these were all too common.