I left the capital at the start of summer
I was sleeping in Chuchou by the end of fall
it's as if we parted yesterday
I'm suddenly startled by the passage of time
even when the upper story is free of fog
the pond doesn't clear until dusk
outside my windows looks bleak
night and day my heart feels heavy
last year visiting the Department of State
the weather this month was sunny
in the western suburbs collecting my clothes
I walked through dew-covered fields
I picked chrysanthemums to put in the wine
and drank it all down with my cousins
I hang my hat and sash on the wall
what did I care about worldly fame
now I'm living in a distant town
with mountains and rivers keeping us apart
the Tao doesn't come with many burdens
until memories pile up on this day