寂寞天宝后，园庐但蒿藜。我里百馀家，世乱各东西。存者无消息，死者为尘泥。贱子因阵败，归来寻旧蹊。久行见空巷，日瘦气惨凄，但对狐与狸，竖毛怒我啼。四邻何所有，一二老寡妻。宿鸟恋本枝，安辞且穷栖。方春独荷锄，日暮还灌畦。县吏知我至，召令习鼓鞞。虽从本州役，内顾无所携。近行止一身，远去终转迷，家乡既荡尽，远近理亦齐。永痛长病母，五年委沟溪，生我不得力，终身两酸嘶，人生无家别，何以为蒸黎。
In the desolate years after the rebel warfare
Yards and gardens were overgrown with weeds
The hundred or so households of my neighborhood
Have fled east and west to seek a corner of peace
Those who are still alive, none knows their whereabouts
Those who are dead are now buried in muddy earth
I, a soldier of a defeated army back from the battles
Returned to my old country to my home and hearth
I walked long hours but in deserted lanes
Weak was the sun and sad was the atmosphere
I ran into nobody but foxes and raccoons
Who howled at me with angry standing hair
In the neighbors’ houses no people still stayed
But one or two old widows I could see
How could I forsake home due to poverty
Since a bird dwells nowhere but its original tree
It was spring I was the only one shouldering a hoe
At dusk I was still watering the crops in the field
County officials upon learning about my return
Summoned me as drummer for the spear and shield
Although it’s a local service that does not take me far
Looking inside my house I have nothing to bring
I was only myself who will go on this short journey
But who knows this service will not be a distant thing
I then realized my home no longer exists here
Is there a difference to be stationed far or near?
My pain is my mother who suffered long in sickness
And died in a ditch during my five year service
She brought me to the world but I could not do my duty
Both my mother and I will weep in this world and after
When one does not even have a home to bid adieu to
How can you call him a citizen under a merciful ruler?