In morning, I sit west of the front porch;
At dusk, I sit east of the front porch.
When the sun stands at high noon,
I place my couch between the two pillars.
My life has always been frail and weak,
Assailed by a hundred arrows of sorrow and hardship.
At thirty, my hair already turned white,
And I often suffer the bitter winter.
Gathering cold, I seal the door by day,
Huddling by fire, wrapped in thick fur.
The chill pierces deep into my bones,
Like the sharp point of a spear.
Suddenly, morning light enters my window,
My heart rejoices, old ailments gone.
I open the door to bask in the clear warmth,
Drunk in the sun, spring's mood melts in.
Warmth soothes my hundred bones,
Gradually, my cheeks flush red.
Then I know all things live and grow,
By the full power of the sun's virtue.
The wheel of heaven vast and boundless,
Turns silently in the primal mist.
Lu Ao traveled to the eight extremes,
Vainly seeking the beginning and the end.
Suddenly he reached the Valley of Mist,
And was scolded by the stooped-shouldered old man.
The sun-bird rises from Fusang tree,
Shakes the reins, drives six dragons.
In a glance, it travels millions of miles,
Kuafu runs in pursuit.
His staff transformed into a forest of peach trees,
His mad dash like trying to catch the wind.
Now I observe the movement of heaven,
The four seasons cycle without end.
East and west I chase the sun's chariot,
Yet never leave my humble walls.
In ancient times there were perfect men,
Who rode the wind to the jade vault.
Holding the sun and moon in hand, they walked,
Turning back the light, reversing the high sun.
Yin and Yang were in their grasp,
Sitting silently, they communed with heaven.
Thus I know those two were foolish,
Pitiable as tiny insects.