Lament of an old widow by Yi Kyubo (1168–1241)

 

 

Lament of an old widow

 

   Yi Kyubo (1168–1241) 

Trees and grass are still blue, 
Crickets cry on the stone steps.  
The women are surprised that autumn has already come,  
Rushing to weaving carefully.   
An old widow is gathering hands and hopes

that summer comes back again.
"Four season has a way to go
How will things come and go as you wish?
Maple trees are about to turn red,
Take the cotton clothes you are wearing."   
She replied, "What do you mean? I am a poor bitch,
The cotton clothes are already mortgaged,
Who will give me the new clothes again?"
Sorry for her driven by compassion,

I'm trying to help her by giving her a single fabric. 

 

孀嫗嘆

 

  李奎報

 

林葉尙靑靑。蟋蟀鳴砌底。

婦女已驚秋。殷勤理機杼。

獨有老孀嫗。拱手願復暑。

時節固有程。進退寧爲汝。

園楓行欲丹。爾可尋古絮。

答云是何言。妾本最貧女。

故絮久已典。新衣誰復與。

我聞惻然悲。心若掛私慮。

要趁窮秋時。尺帛期可惠。