Li Shangyin (813–858) was a poet from the late-Tang era famous for his dense and cryptic poetic imagery.

 

流莺[1]

流莺漂荡复参差,

渡陌临流不自持。

巧啭岂能无本意,

良辰未必有佳期。

风朝露夜阴晴里,

万户千门开闭时。

曾苦伤春不忍听,

凤城[2]何处有花枝[3]。

这首诗描写了流莺无所依托的漂泊感,凄凉婉转,细腻幽微。流莺的巧啭声,似乎也是作者的心声。

注释:

[1]流莺:漂荡流转的黄莺。

[2]凤城:借指京城长安。

[3]花枝:指流莺的栖息之所。

To the Roving Oriole

Oriole roving high and low,

Are you happy over fields and streams?

What does your warbling want to show?

Can the fine days fulfil your dreams?

You are careless of shine or rain,

Dawn or dusk,open or closed door.

I’m grieved to hear your sad refrain.

When spring is gone and blooms no more.

Note:The poet is grieved to hear the roving oriole whose warbling reminds him of his unfulfilled dream.