To Li Dan and Yuan Xi
English translation and interpretation are being reviewed.
今日花开又一年。
世事茫茫难自料，
春愁黯黯独成眠。
身多疾病思田里，
邑有流亡愧俸钱。
闻道欲来相问讯，
西楼望月几回圆。
English translation
Last year amid the flowers we met and parted, today the flowers bloom, another year has gone.
The world's affairs are vast and beyond foretelling, spring sorrow is dark, and I sleep alone.
Much illness makes me long for my fields, with homeless folk in my town, I am shamed by my salary.
I hear you mean to come and ask after me, how many times has the moon grown round above the west tower?
Meaning
Last year amid the blossoms we met and parted; today the flowers are in bloom once more, and another year has gone by.
The world's affairs are dim and unforeseeable; how can one foretell one's own fate? The sorrow of spring weighs upon the heart, and I lie alone upon the pillow, unable to sleep.
My ailing body makes me long to return to my fields and garden; seeing the people driven in flight, I am shamed to take the state's stipend.
Long ago I heard that you meant to come and visit me here; gazing from the west tower I have several times seen the moon wax full.
Background
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This seven-character regulated verse is a work of Wei Yingwu's later years, written during his tenure as prefect of Chuzhou, probably in the spring of 784 (the first year of the Xingyuan era of Emperor Dezong of Tang). In late spring and early summer of 783 (the fourth year of the Jianzhong era of Emperor Dezong), Wei Yingwu left Chang'an and arrived in Chuzhou that autumn to take up his post. Li Dan was a close poet friend of Wei Yingwu; after parting from him in Chang'an, he had sent word through others to inquire after him. The following spring, Wei Yingwu wrote this poem and sent it to him in reply.