[updated October 2022]
Working in Luoyang in a Low Level Position, I Need Some Time Off Due to a Short-Term Illness
任 落 阳 丞 请 告
方 凿 不 受 圆
直 木 不 为 轮。
揆 材 各 有 用
反 性 生 苦 辛。
折 腰 非 吾 事
饮 水 非 吾 贫。
休 告 卧 空 馆
养 病 绝 嚣 尘。
游 鱼 自 成 族
野 鸟 亦 有 群。
家 园 杜 陵 下
千 岁 心 氛 氲。
天 晴 嵩 山 高
雪 后 河 洛 春。
乔 木 犹 未 放
百 草 日 已 新。
著 书 复 何 为
当 去 东 皋 耘。
Ren Luo Yang Cheng Qing Gao
Fang zao bu shou yuan
Zhi mu bu wei lun.
Kui cai ge you yong
Fan xing sheng ku xin.
She yao fei wu shi
Yin shui fei wu pin.
Xiu gao wo kong guan
Yang bing jue xiao chen.
You yu zi cheng zu
Ye niao yi you qun.
Jia yuan du ling xia
Qian sui xin fen yun.
Tian qing song shan gao
Xue hou he luo chun.
Qiao mu you wei fang
Bai cao ri yi xin.
Zhu shu fu he wei
Dang qu dong gao yun.
Working in Luoyang In a Low Level Position, I Need Some Time Off Due to a Short-Term Illness
Square holes do not accept round pegs
Cannot make wheels from straight wood.
Each material has its own special uses
Confrontational temperaments have lives of suffering and bitterness.
Like Tao Yuanming, do not have to bow to morally deficient superiors
Like Kongzi’s student, Yan Gui, drinking just water is not a sign of poverty, but rather of intelligence.
Stop to lie down in an empty guest house
Recuperating from an illness, away from the din and dust.
Fish naturally swim in schools
Wild birds of a feather flock together.
My family’s house and garden below Duling
After one thousand years, the aroma of a spiritual atmosphere.
Sky clear, Mt. Song towers high
Springtime snow melts into the Huang and Luo rivers.
Tall trees are yet to be fragrant
Sun has already sprouted one hundred grasses.
I write this letter again to reply
Should return east to Dongbu, and like Tao Yuanming it is time to cultivate.
Notes:
Tao Yuanming (365-427): Famous poet from the Eastern Jin Dynasty. His poems and biography can be found on this website.
Kongzi (Confucius) (551-479): Famous and ancient Chinese philosopher.
Duling: Area outside the capital city of Chang’an famous for being an ancient burial site. Emperor Xuandi was buried there. Wei’s hometown is near here.
Luo River: Tributary to the Yellow River near Mt. Hua in Shaanxi Province.
Dongbu: Perhaps located in the province of Jiangxi.