In this remote and narrow land, we meet,
Worn by hardship, our bond grows more sweet.
Who'd think exile would bring us side by side?
Gentle and pure, in mirth we now abide.
Straight talk opens new paths, while wild words drown,
Our verses rich, our conduct like a crown.
Swift as lacquer bonding, our friendship starts,
With candid hearts, we speak what truly smarts.
Both blind to timely ways, we courted strife,
Disaster came not lightly, cutting life.
Many tongues can move mountains, yet I'm bound,
In prison, with false charges all around.
Tortured by crafted lies, the trial drags on,
I leap in coffin-wood, my justice gone.
You're caught in ruthless schemes, I in foul plots,
Sharp pens weave traps, and ghosts haunt hidden spots.
Sincere as the bright sun, with grief I'm filled,
My wrath pierces the sky, my vow upheld.
I swore to keep integrity unstained,
Studied by lamplight, on straw my creed remained.
Doubts arose like false coins, laws I'd defend,
No joy in winning cases, thoughts won't end.
Rough justice served three times, why fear poverty?
As judge, I took the charge, who'd speak for me?
Uncovered hidden crimes, cut tyrants' might,
Admiring the upright, I dared not seek height.
Steeds start their journey, rainbows lack their glow,
Jade loses luster, brocades vie to show.
Empty blades bring no good, but harm instead,
Lone trees are felled, dark pearls earn wrath and dread.
Thieves aren't sages, crowds distrust the true heart,
Thorns envy orchids, disheveled heads take part.
Foxes charm, hares leap, all cunning and sly,
Tigers crouch, eagles glare, with evil eye.
Evil gangs attack the good, falsehoods blame truth,
Flies shift the bed, ants erode the rock's tooth.
Jade deemed as gravel, pines crushed by deceit,
Innocents buried, traps laid complete.
In low damp lands, I found a friend so dear,
But sorrows led to exile, far and near.
Pleas ignored, the moon's light blocked from sight,
Stranded in barren hills, by water's blight.
Gazing home, I shed tears; toward court, I frown,
Heaven seems to collapse, in perilous renown.
Parents' graves afar, brothers lost to view,
I shame to live, like a brute, coarse and untrue.
A beast that wags its tail, a fish on shore,
In this slow town, by lonely banks I bore.
Local customs petty, my heart filled with dread,
Walls surround, crowds gather where trade is spread.
Merchant ships reach far lands, sails pierce the sky,
Stream-wives harvest wild rice, village girls sell nigh.
Waves stretch endless, stones gleam under my tread,
Swallows return, market tigers frequent, it's said.
Gibbons cry in woods, deer dash in fright,
The water temple ages, birds grow tame in light.
Unmoved by bustle, I hold my earnest way,
Lazy at dawn, sighing alone at night's sway.
Desk idle, books scattered by the window sill,
Old clothes can't beat the heat, poor meals leave me ill.
Never strolled the lanes, nor passed the city gate,
Anxious gut churns, sick eyes blur with fate.
Plum rains mold clothes, miasma wrinkles face,
Chickens doubt cranes, magpies can't shield quail's disgrace.
White geese seek favor, blue storks serve with grace,
Who knows three wine-cups? Who points to grain's space?
Joy without official chores, sick, I skip court's race,
Hide my clumsiness, embrace simplicity's embrace.
Kites slight hungry phoenixes, nags mock thin unicorn,
Flawed jade doubted, treasure seen with scorn.
Like a coiled lizard mocked, a gecko teased,
A slackened bowstring, fine steel unpleased.
Quietly I nurse my grief, while slanders bark,
Ears full of gossip, lips stiff, words fail in dark.
Mute as a bell, no match for thunder's roar,
Sigh for the innocent, condemned evermore.
Words can't explain, so fate I must implore,
Suddenly, beyond fortune, loss matters no more.
No need to long for home, or recall old days,
Now we roam together, in spring's gentle rays.
Flowers brighten isles, grass dyes fields green,
Birds dart through willows, maids pick herbs serene.
Painted boats drift on river, drums beat in wild,
Lotus furls on shore, turnips grow, nature's child.
Tea bushes thrive, rice sprouts warm in the sun,
We seek fragrant paths, by green banks, having fun.
A sip from small jug, a lone line cast for play,
Hear souls cry at mist's edge, see beasts sacrifice by bay.
Taoist temple's old stone, monk's tower's carved rail,
Ashamed to lag behind birds, I long to sail.
Who pities exiles of Qin? I blush as Jin's jailed one,
I recall hometown studies, essays well-spun.
Sifted chaff from grain, cleared thorns with might,
Scorned Zong Que's fame, outshone Bian Bin's light.
Wrote lush verses, sprinkled pearls with pen,
Won in poetry battles, raced like chariots then.
Knew war's scars, dared not break oath's hand,
Awaited honors, aimed for feasts so grand.
Home letters praised like hawks, exams half-dragon's share,
Art stole court test, name rose by emperor's care.
Approached purple shell steps, bowed on silver stair,
Changed like wall-flying jade, shaped by potter's air.
Three years in minor posts, one fate molded true,
Jail warden lowly, jade-like tasks to do.
Superiors no tyrants, peers not superior breed,
Alone without support, secret schemes take heed.
Though somewhat blunt, I faced bumps and retreat,
Nets hurt wild geese, traps still hold rare elite.
Years in strange lands, served solemn rites with dread,
Asked heaven's justice, vast kindness hard to read.
Your plans unfulfilled, my fate dim and dead,
When will weeds return? Orchids I'll thread.
Seasoned meals from garden, rent paid with mill,
Retire to wheat hill, flee fame at wild field.
Learn from Li Mi's retreat, yield glory to Yan Jun's might,
Follow three hermits, chase six madmen's light.
Farm for wine, seek lutes in woodcutter's glen,
Mound flowers with spade, clear fruit trees from fen.
In garden with hoe, in woods set traps for game,
Truth: roc and sparrow same, life like mushroom's frame.
Not resigned to dirt, lucky to hold official thread,
South-facing like sage kings, court ministers ahead.
Should allow this old man, with full belly, to return,
To simple ways, where true values burn.