[updated October 2022]
Waiting For Lu Song, Sad Sunset Without Horses Arriving, Write This Poetic Reply
期 卢 嵩 枉 书 称 日 暮 无 马 不 赴 以 诗 答
佳 期 不 可 失
终 愿 枉 衡 门。
南 陌 人 犹 度
西 林 日 未 昏。
庭 前 空 倚 杖
花 里 独 留 樽。
莫 道 无 来 驾
知 君 有 短 辕。
Qi Lu Song Wang Shu Chen Ri Mu Wu Ma Bu Fu Yi Shi Da
Jia qi bu ke shi
Zhong yuan wang heng men.
Nan mo ren you du
Xi lin ri wei hun.
Ting qian kong yi zhang
Hua li du liu zun.
Mo dao wu lai jia
Zhi jun you duan yuan.
Waiting for Lu Song, Sad Sunset Without Horses Arriving,
Write This Poetic Reply
Let’s not lose this opportunity and fine day
Still hope you can come to my poor place.
People still traveling along southern footpaths between the fields
Western forests, sun not yet set into dusk.
Lean against my cane in front of my empty front courtyard
Picked flowers and a solitary wine vessel remains.
Don’t tell me there are no carriages available
I know you have an ox with a simple cart.
Commentary:
A somewhat common theme in ancient Chinese poetry, where the author waits around for a friend to arrive so he can drink wine in a social situation.