A Famous Poem: Homecoming After War

Homecoming After War
At fifteen I left home to fight the foe
And could not go back till I was four-score.
On the way I meet a countryman I know;
I ask him who remains within my door.
"Seen from afar, your house is over there,
'Mid graves where pine and cypress stand aloof."
Arrived, I see in dog hole run a hare
And a pheasant fly from beam of roof.
In middle courtyard grows only wild grain
And by the well grows mallow I can eat.
I pluck the grain and boil it as food plain
And put the mallow in the soup I heat.
When I have cooked the simple, homely fare,
Who will eat it with me? No one appears.
I go outdoors and eastwards fix my stare,
My furrowed face and clothes wet with tears.

民俗节庆门户网站

十五从军征,
八十始得归.
道逢乡里人,
家中有阿谁.
遥看是君家,
松柏冢垒垒.
兔从狗窦入,
雉从梁上飞.
中庭生旅谷,
井上生旅葵.
舂谷持作饭,
采葵持作羹.
羹饭一时熟,
不知贻阿谁.
出门东向看,
泪落沾我衣.