Classic Poem

In a neighborhood of tinkling jade,
a general's mansion:
the halberds in rows have disappeared,
the vermilion doors are closed.
A local woman tells passers-by
what happened in the past:
her house was snatched away by them
so they could enlarge their pool!
This year, the place was requisitioned;
the officials own it now,
and every son of that noble house
has scattered and gone off.
The kitchen long has burned no smoke,
there is no grain or meat;
packs of rats in hunger come,
then enter neighbors' homes!
The officials have sealed off the place,
and allow no one to live there;
as days and days pass, rains increase
the green carpeting of moss.
Twisting corridors, sunk deep in silence,
reach to rooms behind;
the painted screens, covered with dust,
are dark and lusterless.
The guards, who ordinarily
would dare not glance in here,
now enter in from time to time
to gather fallen earrings.
In spring wind, how many trees were there
with lovely blossoms?
Now they have been transplanted
to the homes of wealthy men.