Just when the capital of the gods [1] is in trouble,
I have come to the southern land [2] again.
The green pines roar against the heavens,
The fallen leaves drift along the clear water.
A gust of wind and snow startles the world,
The streets are filled with red and green flags of travellers.
Leaning on the railing, I quietly listen to the drizzling rain, [3]
The people of my homeland [4] are yearning.

[1] “Shendu” was the ancient name for the capital. Here it refers to the capital Beijing.
[2] “Nanguo” is a general term for southern China. The author was on a tour of southern
China when he wrote this poem. From May 15 to June 15, 1966, he was in Hangzhou; on the
17th, he passed through Changsha and arrived at Dripping Cave in Shaoshan, where he
stayed for 11 days; on the 28th, he left for Wuhan.
[3] “Leaning on the railing, I listen to the drizzling rain.” This alludes to the line from Yue Fei's
poem "Man Jiang Hong: My Hair Stands Raging with Fury": "Leaning on the pavilion, the
pattering rain has ceased."
[4] The Chinese word for “homeland” used here has the same meaning as “motherland”.