Yang Wanli: Crickets

 

Crickets

 

促 织
一 声 能 遣 一 人 愁
终 夕 声 声 晓 未 休。
不 解 缫 丝 替 人 织
强 来 出 口 促 衣 裘。
Cu Zhi

Yi sheng neng qian yi ren chou
Zhong xi sheng sheng xiao wei xiong.
Bu xie sao si ti ren zhi
Qiang lai chu kou cu yi qiu.

 

Crickets

Their lonely sounds bring sorrows to each person
Continually from sunset to dawn, these soft sounds do not cease.
Not able to help people to twist and reel the silk threads
But they continue on to encourage the workers to finish making winter clothes.