I left at dawn on the prefect's orders
to brave flames and not to dally
a hundred li later I reached Yunyang
at every village I asked about flooding
the forces of Heaven keep going astray
why aren't its blessing bestowed more fairly
looking at the tops of tall trees
I could see the traces of disaster
perfectly good crops in the river
creepers growing back already
ancient towns filled with rubble
once-happy homes in ruins
I waded down flooded roads on my tour
whole hillsides were washed away
our wise and kind prefect was concerned for the people
I myself volunteered for this duty
meanwhile you gentlemen at court
gossip and laugh and think about parties