《No Kin to Say Adieu》

寂寞天寶後  Ever since the Tianbao Rebellion in the last reign
園廬但蒿藜  Homes and gardens deserted pigweeds thrive in rain
我裏百餘家  For the hundred families in my hometown
世亂各東西  All had fled the confusion east or west bound
存者無消息  Among those living no news is available
死者為塵泥  The dead had become dust and mud not noble
賤子因陣敗  Defeated at the front I have returned
歸來尋舊蹊  To my birthplace to find a way to work and earn
人行見空巷  All along my way large and small lanes are empty
日瘦氣慘淒  Sunlight short and the air dreary
但對狐與貍  Foxes and raccoons appear before me
豎毛怒我啼  Hair raised they bark to scare me freely
四鄰何所有  Neighbours around my dad’s house are no more
一二老寡妻  Only one or two old lonely women sit by their doors
宿鳥戀本枝  Birds roost clinging to their chosen trees
安辭且窮棲  I too must not leave but make this poor place homely
方春獨荷鋤  When spring arrives I carry a hoe to farm alone
日暮還灌畦  Late in the day I water vegetables row by row
縣吏知我至  When the local officer found me here
召令習鼓鞞  He conscripts me to be trained a marching drummer
雖從本州役  To serve the country is my civic responsibility
內顧無所攜  I have no one to care at home in reality
近行止一身  For me such public service nearby is fine
遠去終轉迷  Venturing far I fear my sense of direction denied
家鄉既蕩盡  Alas my native land destroyed life is but existing
遠近理亦齊  Moving away near and far is no choosing
永痛長病母  I moan forever my mother’s death I did not know
五年委溝谿  Her body was buried beside a ditch five years ago
生我不得力  Why would she give birth to a son so unable
終身兩酸嘶  We both suffer bitter lives hardship untold
人生無家別  Even if I decide to leave here I have no kin to say adieu
何以為烝黎  Could I call myself a human capable and astute