"Cold Food" expresses the author's intoxication with the spring scenery of the imperial capital and his praise for the prosperity and peace. It also expresses the author's satire on the corruption of feudal politics, contrasting the loneliness of a poor family and the loneliness of a lonely scholar.

"Cold Food"

Han Hong of the Tang Dynasty

Flowers are flying everywhere in the spring city, and the east wind of cold food keeps the willows from slanting.

At dusk, candles were passed around the Han Palace, and light smoke dispersed into the house of the Five Marquises.

　Translation

In late spring, catkins are flying and falling reds are everywhere in Chang'an City. During the Cold Food Festival, the east wind blows the willow trees in the imperial city.

In the evening, candles were sent from the Han Palace to reward princes and ministers, and the light smoke drifted to the homes of the emperor's favorites.

Appreciation

The first two sentences of the poem are about daytime, "flowers are flying everywhere", which is a typical picture captured by the poet. The word "flying flowers" expresses flowers and wind, expressing the vitality of spring.

The last two sentences of the poem are about night. The words "chuan" and "san" are used in the poem to vividly draw a picture of a horse walking around and passing candles at night. During the Cold Food Festival, fireworks are prohibited, but powerful ministers light candles. The author makes a subtle satire on this corrupt phenomenon in the poem.