[updated September 2022]
Upon a Tower
楼 上
天 地 空 搔 首
频 抽 白 玉 簪：
皇 舆 三 极 北
身 事 五 湖 春。
恋 阙 劳 肝 肺
论 才 愧 杷 楠。
乱 离 难 自 救
终 是 老 湘 潭！
Lou Shang
Tian di kong sao shou
Pin chou bai yu zan:
Huang yu san ji bei
Shen shi wu hu chun.
Lian que lao gan fei
Lun cai kui ji nan.
Luan li nan zi jiu
Zhong shi lao xiang tan!
Upon a Tower
Heaven and earth empty, scratch my head
Frequently redo my white jade hairpins.
Imperial carriages can go anywhere except in the far north
Most of my life spent spring times in many different places.
My liver and lungs still fond of being a palace worker
Ashamed my Confucian talents not used like the southern big trees.
Naturally difficult to rescue myself during chaotic times
Eventually will die here next to a deep Xiang River deep pool!
Notes:
Xiang River: Second largest tributary to the Changjiang (Yangzi River) and the main river flowing into the flood basin Dongting Lake.
Commentary:
Du Fu has so little hair left that when he ties it up upon his head, the bun often unravels. Gotta love line #5. It is a true classic.