和子由渑池怀旧
Recalling the Old Days at Mianchi in the Same Rhymes as Ziyou's Poem
人生到处知何似?
应似飞鸿踏雪泥。
What do you think is human life like here or there?
It seems like a swan's traces on mud or on snow.
泥上偶然留指爪，
鸿飞那复计东西!
See the claw and nail prints by chance mud and snow bear.
Will the flying swan care what it has left below?
老僧已死成新塔,
坏壁无由见旧题。
The old monk, dead, has left but a dagoba new;
The verse we wrote was gone with the wall in decay.
往日崎岖还记否?
路长人困蹇驴嘶。
What I remember of the journey made with you?
Is a weary long way and the lame donkey's bray.