溪居
柳宗元
 
久为簪组累， 幸此南夷谪。
闲依农圃邻， 偶似山林客。
晓耕翻露草， 夜榜响溪石。
来往不逢人， 长歌楚天碧。
　
DWELLING BY A STREAM
Liu Zongyuan
 
I had so long been troubled by official hat and robe
That I am glad to be an exile here in this wild southland.
I am a neighbour now of planters and reapers.
I am a guest of the mountains and woods.
I plough in the morning, turning dewy grasses,
And at evening tie my fisher-boat, breaking the quiet stream.
Back and forth I go, scarcely meeting anyone,
And sing a long poem and gaze at the blue sky.