The blossoms are sparse 1 along the garden path. The luscious
green 2 extends all over the countryside. The trees cast their
shadows on the high platform 3. The spring wind
4 does not
know how to prevent the mist-like poplar flowers 5 from blowing on
pedestrians’ faces. Orioles hide in green leaves. Swallows are kept out by the
red curtain. The fragrance of the incense burner 6 quietly pursues
the swirling tendrils of smoke. When I awaken from sorrowful dreams and a
drunken state, the slanting sunshine 7 illuminates the far-reaching
yard with dense trees 8.
1
"The blossoms are sparse" means "Good men are few".
2
"Green leaves" refers to evil people.
3
"The high platform" refers to "the emperor's court".
4
"The spring wind" refers to the emperor.
5
"Poplar flowers" refers to flattery or slander.
6
"The incense burner" refers to the melancholy pent-up in one's mind.
7
"The slanting sunshine" refers to incompetence.
8
"The far-reaching yard with dense trees" refers to difficult and unsolved
problems.