<Header>
<Author: 柳宗元>
<Title: 登柳州城樓寄漳汀封連四州刺史>
<Format: 七言律詩>
<Year: 1987>
<BookName: 300 Tang Poems: A New Translation>
<Translator: 許淵冲, 陸佩弦, 吳鈞陶>
<TranslatedTitle: To Four Friends in Exile>
<BookPage: 304>
<UsedPage: 1>
<Feature: 0>
<End Header>
<Poem>
Atthisloftytowerwherethetownends,wildernessbegins;
Andourlonginghasasfartogoastheoceanorthesky...
Hibiscus-flowersbythemoatheaveinasuddenwind,
Andvinesalongthewallarewhippedwithslantingrain.
Nothingtoseeforthreehundredmilesbutablurofwoodsandmountain—
Andtheriver'snineloops,twistinginourbowels....
Thisiswheretheyhavesentus,thislandoftattooedpeople—
Andnotevenletters,tokeepusintouchwithhome.
<End Poem>
<Translation>
From the tower I gaze where the wilderness looms,
          My sad thoughts mingle with the boundless sea and sky.
A sudden gale ruffles the pool where lotus blooms;
          And slanting rain beats on the wall where vines climb high.
Dense trees on mountain-ridge shut out the distant view;
          Like tortuous bowels meanders the river long.
Coming to the land of tattooed people with you,
          I've not received your message brought by wild geese's song.
<End Translation>