Residing in Bashang in Autumn, Ma Dai (300 Tang Shi #162)

Here in Bashang, the wind and rain are calm.
I see each evening line after line of geese
And scattered leaves from unfamiliar trees.
Cold lamp at night—this solitary person—
Within the empty garden, white dew drips—
Beyond its lonely wall a rustic monk.
In these suburban lodgings it grows late—
How many years were spent to gain this life?

灞上秋居
灞原风雨定，
晚见雁行频。
落叶他乡树，
寒灯独夜人。
空园白露滴，
孤壁野僧邻。
寄卧郊扉久，
何年致此身？

Bashang (the alternate name Bayuan is used in the first line) was an eastern suburb of Chang’an where officials waiting for imperial appointments often lodged. The person is a humble self-reference.

---L.