Spring View (
Tu Fu)
The nation is ruined, but mountains and rivers remain.
This spring the city is deep in woods and brush.
Touched by the times even flowers weep tears.
Fearing leaving the birds tangled hearts
Watch-tower fires have been burning for three months
To get a note from home would cost ten thousand
gold.
Scratching my white hair thinner
Seething hopes all in a trembling
hairpin
(
Translation: Victor Mair)