The west wind grieves, withered leaves rustle and sigh,
Shining on old roots, the autumn sun will die.
As if in a dream, I meet spirits in trance,
Gazing at the Nine Springs—can they revive by chance?
Suddenly, an autumn insect sings in pain,
Lamenting time's passage and change, on old boughs alone.
The vast wilds' sound breaks off and strains,
Its sighing tone prolonged, unbearable to own.
Life's rough outline fades, about to vanish from sight,
Final words emerge, suddenly clear and bright.
If the dead have consciousness, why gladly leave this place?
If the dead know nothing, who crafts this dream's trace?
Relying on moments never to regain,
I mourn these words unheard, adding to my pain.
The winding corridor, moonlight pure and white,
No longer echoes footsteps of past night.
Gathering my life's remaining art,
Its fragrance lingers, not yet torn apart.
Though drifting daily into decay,
I cannot bear to cast this adornment away.
Sorrow swarms within me, dense and deep,
Like wine that will not ferment, in my soul to keep.
Sudden separation—when will it end?
Who shares this summer day or winter night, my friend?
Before me stretches an endless line,
After me extends another endless design.
Sixty or seventy years finish life's span,
No different from wild wind on treetops, brief as it can.
To seek comfort in external things,
Is less than freeing mind where contentment springs.
That pot of Zhuangzi, what does it convey?
No different from Xunzi's wounded spirit in dismay.
I know well what's hidden in heaven is most fine,
What interacts with matter is coarse in design.
Tears drink to dim the eyes' clear light,
Hidden grief breeds white hair, mother of night.
Grief comes, tears fall beyond control,
Like holding soil at Mengjin, an impossible goal.
Cold and heat gradually transform their state,
Even heaven and earth cannot their changes abate.
Eyes wide open, I cannot find sleep,
Night drags on past midnight, sorrows deep.
Though the future may yet arrive in time,
I fear it won't match past moments, sublime.