To Du, Remonstrance Official of the Left Secretariat
Side by side we hurried toward the vermilion steps;
Separate offices divide us within the palace.
At dawn I enter with the imperial procession;
At dusk I return with court incense on my clothes.
White hair makes me grieve the fallen flowers;
Against blue clouds I envy the birds in flight.
The court seems to have no matters requiring correction;
I notice how few memorials of remonstrance I have written.
Notes
The Left Secretariat refers to a court office; Du is Du Fu, who served as a remonstrance official. Vermilion steps, imperial procession and incense evoke palace service. Que means a fault or omission. The closing may carry self-reproach or an indirect tone.
Meaning
Writing to Du Fu in another court office, the poet describes palace routine, reflections on age and the few remonstrance memorials he has submitted.
Appreciation
Walking together and working separately establish the relationship between the two officials.
Read the full appreciationCollapse
Procession at dawn and incense at dusk describe the rhythm of court service.
Falling flowers and birds bring feelings about age and freedom into the poem.
The closing pairs praise of the court with an awareness of few memorials, leaving room for a restrained or self-critical reading.
About the poet
Cen Shen (c. 715–770) was a Tang poet whose family came from Nanyang and later lived in Jiangling.
Read about the poetCollapse
Cen Shen served twice in the northwestern frontier regions and wrote many frontier poems, including Song of White Snow and Meeting a Messenger Bound for the Capital. His birth year is uncertain.