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Ou-yang Hsiu (1007–1072) was from Chi-an in Kiangsi province and was one of the great literary figures of his day as well as one of the leaders of government reform and, during his final years, opposition to the financial policies of Wang An-shih. Thus, he was banished on several occasions and wrote this poem in 1036 during his rustication as magistrate of Yichang at the mouth of the Yangtze Gorges. The man to whom this poem replies was serving in Yichang as district judge. Ou-yang Hsiu once served in Loyang, which was famous for its private gardens, and the “illness” to which he refers was probably the cause of his exile.

In Reply to Ting Yuan-chen

OU-YANG HSIU

Spring wind I guess doesn’t reach this side of Heaven

this mountain town in March is still devoid of flowers

oranges still hang from snow-laden branches

dreaming bamboo shoots are startled by cold thunder

honking geese at night make me think of home

nursing last year’s illness I feel the season’s pulse

formerly a guest in the gardens of Loyang

why should I care if country plants bloom late