One inch of loyalty to serve the country, two lines of clear tears to miss family members.
Feelings at the Beginning of Spring
(Ming Dynasty) Yu Qian
The new year comes with gray hair, and spring will come again in a hurry.
Is Guanhedi an empty guest? Time is ruthless and cannot lend money to anyone.
One inch of loyalty to serve the country, two lines of clear tears to miss family members.
It is difficult to entertain myself when I am lonely and fierce, and I am full of gold and gold.
Explanation
This poem was written by the author on the front line on a spring day in the second year after repelling the Washi invasion. This festive occasion aroused the author's longing for his relatives, but due to state affairs, he had to stay in the border area. The poem expresses the author's contradictory and painful mood.
Translation
Year after year, white hair keeps growing,
In the rush of soldiers and horses, another spring is coming.
Why did you keep me at the frontier for so long?
Time is too ruthless, and age is never forgiving.
I can’t help but shed tears when I think of my dear relatives.
The feeling of loneliness is so exciting that it’s hard to get rid of it.
How about a five-sin dish to celebrate the New Year?