Cry of the Exiled Heart
The crows flap their wings joyfully,
Returning in flocks, so serene.
Everyone under the heavens prospers,
Only I am deeply entangled in sorrow.
I know not where I have wronged the heavens,
Nor why my sins are deemed boundless.
The deep grief in my heart accumulates,
Not knowing how to dispel it.
The once wide and open roads,
Are now blocked and overgrown with s.
My heart is overwhelmed with sorrow,
Churning like a pestle in constant motion.
Lying in my clothes, I sigh deeply,
Time passes, but worries age me faster.
The deep grief in my heart persists,
Its pain pricking like needles in my mind.
Seeing the trees my parents planted,
I stand respectfully before them.
Who doesn’t honor their father,
Or deeply cherish their mother?
Now, the exterior no longer aligns,
The inner bond of heart and flesh is lost.
Oh, heavens, you brought me to this world,
When will my fortune change?
By the pond, willows are thick and green,
Cicadas chirp tirelessly on the branches.
The river bends deep and unseen,
Reeds and rushes grow lush and dense.
My heart is like a drifting boat,
Aimlessly floating, not knowing its destination.
My sorrow is constant,
Without a moment’s rest, even when lying down.
Look at the deer running in the field,
Its four legs so nimble and agile.
The handsome pheasant calls in the morning,
Seeking to attract its mate.
My heart is like a dying tree,
Stricken with disease, losing all its branches.
My sorrow is endless,
Is there no one who understands me?
See the rabbit caught in a snare,
Yet someone kind helps it escape.
On the main road, a man lies dead,
But someone kind buries him.
My lord, how can you be so cruel,
Showing such a hardened heart?
My sorrow is overwhelming,
Tears fall, soaking the dust.
My lord, you heed the slanderers,
Like a lover of fine wine.
You ignore me completely,
Not even investigating the truth.
Cutting trees requires a brace to avoid injury,
Splitting logs must follow the grain.
But you, my lord, spare the guilty,
And drape the criminal’s black robe on me.
No mountain is higher than another,
No spring deeper than another.
My lord, do not easily trust slander,
Beware of ears pressed against the walls.
Do not go to my fishing dam,
Do not secretly open my fish basket.
Now, I cannot even care for myself,
How can I worry about the troubles behind me?
This poem, comprising eight stanzas of eight lines each, begins with a lamentation to the heavens, expressing the poet’s deep sorrow and pain. The author contrasts his misfortune with the happiness of others, emphasizing his unique plight and questioning the injustice he faces. The imagery of crows, representing the ease and joy of others, starkly contrasts with his own suffering, highlighting his feelings of isolation and despair.
The second stanza reflects on his exile, using the metaphor of overgrown roads to symbolize the sudden disruption of his peaceful life. The vivid description of his inner turmoil, comparing his heart to a pestle in constant motion, effectively conveys the intensity of his distress.
In the third stanza, the poet laments his strained relationship with his parents, despite his deep respect and filial piety. The sense of betrayal and misunderstanding is palpable as he grapples with the pain of being cast out by those he honors.
The fourth and fifth stanzas use natural imagery to reflect the poet’s sense of hopelessness and aimlessness. The lush and lively scenes of nature contrast sharply with his inner turmoil and sense of disconnection, reinforcing his feelings of isolation.
In the sixth stanza, the poet criticizes the cruelty of his father, who, unlike the compassionate people helping animals and the deceased, has cast him out without mercy. This comparison underscores the harshness of his father’s actions and the depth of the poet’s sorrow.
The seventh stanza reveals the root of the poet’s exile: his father’s gullibility to slander. The poet’s frustration and bitterness are evident as he describes the inversion of justice and the false accusations he faces.
In the final stanza, the poet expresses his cautious and wary state, constantly on guard against further slander and betrayal. The repeated advice to avoid his fishing dam and fish basket symbolizes his desire to be left in peace, free from further harm and accusations.
Throughout the poem, the author employs various artistic techniques, including direct description, contrast, metaphor, and personification, to convey the depth of his emotions and the complexity of his situation. The interplay of these techniques creates a rich, poignant narrative that vividly portrays the poet’s anguish and resilience.