I grew up in a time of peace
but I don't know the joys of peace
returning to Loyang now
I feel its pain and distress
we swallowed medicine to attack a disease
then inside us it turned to poison
our royal forces are back on the plains
but jade and stone alike lie broken
even the seasons have been driven off
while mountains and rivers keep winding on
lone wisps of smoke make this place bleaker
and dusk in a deserted city is colder
the lame and incompetent take few noble steps
compassion is the lot of minor officials
I recall coming east on the Hsienyang Road
stumbling along with an uncertain heart