[updated October 2022]
Make Use of the Falling Rain to Write a Friend in Xian County
假 中 对 雨 呈 县 中 僚 友
卻 足 甘 为 笑
闲 居 梦 杜 陵。
残 莺 知 夏 浅
社 雨 报 年 登。
流 麦 非 关 忘
收 书 独 不 能。
自 然 犹 旷 职
緘 此 谢 良 朋。
Jia Zhong Dui Yu Cheng Xian Zhong Liao You
Que zu gan wei xiao
Xian ju meng du ling.
Can ying zhi xia qian
She yu bao nian deng.
Liu mai fei guan wang
Shou shu du bu neng.
Zi ran you kuang zhi
Jian ci xie liang peng.
Make Use of the Falling Rain to Write a Friend in Xian County
You laugh at me for having this swollen foot
I dream of Duling while confined to indoor idleness.
Wild orioles know that the summers are short
Hear that the rain gods will be gracious this year.
My physical disability prevents me from protecting the rice
But from a position that requires attention to books and written records.
Naturally I am a little concerned about my governmental duties
Close and seal this poem, saying thanks to a good friend.
Notes:
Xian County: Located in eastern Hebei Province.
Duling: Wei Yingyu’s hometown near the capital of Chang’an.