Here we are, picking the first fern-shoots And saying: When shall we get back to our country? Here we are because we have the Ken-nin for our foemen, We have no comfort because of these Mongols. We grub the soft fern-shoots, When anyone says "Return," the others are full of sorrow. Sorrowful minds, sorrow is strong, we are hungry and thirsty. Our defence is not yet made sure, no one can let his friend return. We grub the old fern-stalks. We say: Will we be let to go back in October? There is no ease in royal affairs, we have no comfort. Our sorrow is bitter, but we would not return to our country. What flower has come into blossom? Whose chariot? The General's. Horses, his horses even, are tired. They were strong. We have no rest, three battles a month. By heaven, his horses are tired. The generals are on them, the soldiers are by them. The horses are well trained, the generals have ivory arrows and quivers ornamented with fish-skin. The enemy is swift, we must be careful. When we set out, the willows were drooping with spring, We come back in the snow, We go slowly, we are hungry and thirsty, Our mind is full of sorrow, who will know of our grief? | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE LONG HILL by SARA TEASDALE EMBLEMS OF LOVE: 28. LOVE'S TRIUMPH OVER RICHES by PHILIP AYRES EMBLEMS OF LOVE: 43. ALL GRASP, ALL LOSE by PHILIP AYRES LINES WRITTEN AT THE CLOSE OF THE YEAR by ANNA LETITIA BARBAULD SONNET: POOR LISA by LOUISA SARAH BEVINGTON PSALM 129 by OLD TESTAMENT BIBLE THE EVICTION by WILFRID SCAWEN BLUNT THE WANDERER: 1. IN ITALY: THE STORM by EDWARD ROBERT BULWER-LYTTON |