This is a five-character poem written in the second year of Emperor Suzong's reign (757) of the Tang Dynasty. At that time, Chang'an was burned and looted by the Anshi rebels, and everything was desolate. Du Fu saw that the mountains and rivers remained unchanged but the country was ruined and the family was destroyed, and the spring returned to the earth but the cities were desolate. At this time when he was experiencing adversity and homesickness, he couldn't help but feel sad about the scene and expressed deep sadness and emotion. The poet expresses his patriotism in this poem. The country has been destroyed, the family is gone, relatives are scattered, and the cruel reality is that people are displaced.

The whole poem is calm and subtle, sincere and natural, reflecting the poet's love for the motherland and his affection for his family. Modern scholars such as Xu Yingpei and Zhou Rongquan commented on this poem: "The meaning is thorough but not straight, the scenes are comprehensive but not dissociated, the emotions are strong but not superficial, the content is rich but not complicated, the rhythm is rigorous but not rigid." Quite appropriate. "A letter from home is worth ten thousand dollars" is also a famous saying that has been passed down through the ages.

"Spring Hope"

Du Fu of the Tang Dynasty

The country is broken by mountains and rivers, and the city has deep spring vegetation.

I am moved to tears by the flowers in my heart, and I am frightened by the hatred of other birds.

The war rages on for three months, and a letter from home is worth ten thousand gold.

The white-headed scratches are shorter, and the lust is overwhelming.

Modern translation

The country has been conquered, only the mountains and rivers still exist.

The city of Chang'an in spring is desolate, with vegetation everywhere.

When I am sad about state affairs, I can’t help crying when I see the beautiful flowers.

I am sad when I say goodbye, and I am afraid when I hear the melodious singing of birds.

The war has been going on for many months, and it has lasted for a long time.

Family letters are precious, and one letter is so rare that it is worth tens of thousands of taels of gold.

My hair has turned gray due to worry, and the more I scratch it, the thinner it becomes.

It is so rare that I can’t even insert a hairpin into it.