Beginning my exile Tom Sharp

A rooster wakes me up. The dream on my pillow fades. The light in the inn is still dim. The moon fades in the sky. Clouds unfold from the mountains. Frost gleams and turns to dew. The road of life seems endless. Our struggles here are brief and pleasures are rare. Before I resume my journey, I chant a prayer and sit in silence to recall a thousand memories. Once we two young brothers freshly arrived at the capital. From then on, only twists and turns. We both thought that our pens would make emperors and sages. It all seemed too easy. Confucius said, “The court decides to appoint or to dismiss, but only you decide to succeed.” I won’t sit back and fail in poverty. I’ll live a long and rich life and be more worthy than the emperor.

沁园春·赴密州早行马上寄子由 苏轼

孤馆灯青，野店鸡号，旅枕梦残。 渐月华收练，晨霜耿耿，云山摛锦，朝露漙漙。 世路无穷，劳生有限，似此区区长鲜欢。 微吟罢，凭征鞍无语，往事千端。 当时共客长安。 似二陆初来俱少年。 有笔头千字，胸中万卷，致君尧舜，此事何难。 用舍由时，行藏在我，袖手何妨閒处看。 身长健，但优游卒岁，且斗尊前。