TU FU
Sundown at Shih-hao

Sundown at Shih-hao and the
Recruiting sergeant still at it
One old man made it
Over a back wall scared
Out front an old woman
Gazing into the empty night
He shouting and she moaning
(and whose heart's to hear)
Saying: three sons I had
At the Yeh border, one
Still sometimes writes me words.
To live: there's your fame.
The dead alone conquer death.
At home not one man
A grandson at my breast
With his mom too busy
Rags to bedeck her bones
And me—only a wreck—
But—Sir—do let me
Drag along when you head
Tonight to draft ho-yang.
I'll be there to toss
Mess for tomorrow morning soldiers.
Late. Speech done. Tears maybe.
At dawn pick up again
Only the old man there
To say goodbye to, then.