A classical Chinese line for “I cannot sleep on a cold night”

The moon sets, crows cry, and frost fills the sky; beside river maples and fishing lights, I lie awake in sorrow.

Plain meaningI cannot sleep on this cold and lonely night.

People have sorrow and joy, meeting and separation; the moon has brightness and shadow, fullness and loss. Such things have never been complete.

Plain meaningLife cannot remain perfect or whole all the time.

I raise my head and gaze at the bright moon; I lower it and think of home.

Plain meaningMoonlight makes me miss my home.

No one knows me in the deep forest; the bright moon comes to shine upon me.

Plain meaningEven in solitude, the moon can feel like quiet company.

A bright moon rises over the sea; at the ends of the earth, we share this moment.

Plain meaningThough far apart, we are connected beneath the same moon.

From tonight the dew turns white; the moon is brightest in my homeland.

Plain meaningHome always seems brighter when you are far away.