乍寒乍暖時光,
鷓鴣聲裡斜陽,
驛路南來北往。
相逢陌上,
晚風油壁紗窗。
Quick-change season, feels warm then low.
Chatterings, francolins*, the sun angled low.
Coming south, going north, post-road flow,
Meet as we go.
Night breeze—painted walls, screened window.
*Francolins are terrestrial (though not flightless) birds; they feed on insects, vegetable matter and seeds.
Translated by Jennifer Zeng and Damian Robin