Elegy for the Fallen: The General

When I Came, Spring Had Passed Me By

Born in a brothel, my life was dust. When I came, spring had passed me by.

My tender bones endured hardship and frost; my lowly body knew only tears and pain.

One day I met a scholar in blue, and mistook a chance encounter for true kindness.

Your heart belongs only to a shadow from the past. You never once looked upon me with love.

I repaid one glance with all my devotion, gladly giving my humble self to foolish love.

The city fell, soldiers swept through, and the land was shattered. The desolate villages echoed with the bloodied cries of the bereaved.

To protect you and your young daughter, I entered the enemy's tent alone to serve a demon.

I contracted smallpox in secret, hiding my resolve to die. I made my body a blade to ensure your survival.

Until death, I never heard a word from you. My devotion and despair were scattered on the cold clouds.

Years later, when you learned the truth, there was no trace of my lonely grave where you could mourn my soul.

I was never warmed by the spring breeze in life; even in death, I bore the scars of a troubled age.

My body covered in dust, my body covered in blood; half a life of foolish love, half a life of hate.

Though I gave my life for love and honor, I was still just another ill-fated soul in this world.

My soul returned to the cold moon, leaving only regret. When I left, spring was still beyond my reach.