Mere Melancholy? (to the tune of Sheng Sheng Man)

by Li Qingzhao (1084 - about 1151)

Looking here and there,

For something I don't know what,

Enwrapped I am,

In loneliness, misery and sorrow!

In a season with abrupt changes of temperature,

It is hard to keep my health;

And a few cups of flat wine,

Won't ward off the evening chill.

A group of wild geese are passing by,

When I'm in my saddest mood,

Yet they are old acquaintances of mine.

Chrysanthemums are heaping up on the ground,

Who cares to pluck them in such wretched state?

Sitting along by the windows,

How can I while away the tedious hours to sunset?

Then, there comes the drizzle at dusk,

Dripping and dripping from broad leaves of tall trees.

Shall we take all these in a roar for mere melancholy?