Two years ago, Zijian died; I wept by the great river's side.
This year, Shilu has passed away; I'm stranded in Changzhou, far away.
At first, I doubted what I heard, yet tears already flowed unstirred.
I raised the cup to my parched lips, but thorns within my throat eclipse.
I recall when our friendship began, with Mu and Ou, a noble clan.
Your face was pale as frost so white, your speech flowed clear with pure insight.
I was young then, in learning's quest, mocked by many, put to the test.
You aimed for honors, sought renown, refining words to gain the crown.
Not scornful of my different view, you praised me as a scholar true.
Now over twenty years have passed, though far apart, our bond holds fast.
We met again at the southern gate, talking till snow filled the night, late.
The dim lamp lit your silver hair; wine drained, your spirit filled the air.
You once held military command, governing lords across the land.
I joined the archives, but soon fell, a prisoner in a central cell.
Swift memos cleared my name with might, bold words shook the emperor's sight.
Though not heeded at that time, your stance awed the corrupt, sublime.
Then news came of your imprisonment; in June, to Weizhou you were sent.
Weizhou, your former seat of power, once marshaled troops in countless hour.
In tent of jade you sat in pride, below, spears stood in rows beside.
Orders strict could split the hill, kindness made spring's colors thrill.
Yet strife arose from rootless blame, and many tongues invoked your shame.
Returned to prison, dark and deep, how could you face the questions steep?
Judges crafted traps with skill, piercing bones against your will.
Rank stripped, banished to Handong east, by post you went, a driven beast.
Destitute, without a hairpin's aid, who helped your household, debts unpaid?
Your children died, one after one, tears of blood blinded you, undone.
Nearly losing sight, in despair, bitter rage became your constant care.
Your nature stern, unbending, strong, how could you yield to petty wrong?
Struck by this injustice, deep, what could you seek in life to keep?
The world no longer held a place; better to join the dead's embrace.
I wonder if heaven hates the good, giving the wicked free rein, as it would.
Two demons lurked within your core, ghosts mocked and jeered forevermore.
You left your post, to Nanyang fled, where final matters could be spread.
Your heart and courage still shone bright, but keen awareness slipped from sight.
A life of talent, grand design, now buried under mournful pine.
The blue sky stretches vast and blind, the long night endless to the mind.
All things must die, as fate decrees, but death oft comes in autumn's freeze.
Your age was prime, in vigor's bloom, all hoped you'd dispel the gloom.
While foes ran rampant east and west, the land was wounded and distressed.
At such a time, you passed away; who'll bear the court's grief today?
I'm now a peasant in Wu's land, with hoe in hand, I till the sand.
No way to crawl and rescue you, in idle grief, my heart stays true.
I think of Zhuangzi's words so wise, that skulls alone hold paradise.
Life's truths are beyond questioning; this view offers the surest blessing.