Song of the Thatched Hut Destroyed by Autumn Wind - Du Fu
/茅屋为秋风所破歌 - 杜甫/
An Evocation of Hardship and a Vision of Shelter for All
八月秋高风怒号，
In the eighth month, autumn stands tall, the wind howls in rage;
卷我屋上三重茅。
It sweeps off the triple layers of thatch from my roof.
茅飞渡江洒江郊，
Reeds fly across the river, sprinkling beyond the town;
高者挂罥长林梢，
The high ones get caught on the treetop tips,
下者飘转沉塘坳。
The low ones whirl down, sinking into pools.
南村群童欺我老无力，
Boys from the southern village mock my feebleness,
忍能对面为盗贼。
With no shame they rob me face to face.
公然抱茅入竹去，
They openly carry off my thatch into the bamboo grove,
唇焦口燥呼不得。
My lips are parched, I cry out in vain.
归来倚杖自叹息，
Returning home, I lean on my staff in deep lament.
俄倾风定云墨色。
Soon the wind dies, and the clouds turn ashen gray.
秋天漠漠向昏黑，
Autumn sky grows dim toward dusk,
布衾多年冷似铁，
My worn quilt has long been cold as iron.
娇儿恶卧踏里裂。
My little child sleeps fitfully, kicking it to shreds.
床床屋漏无干处，
Every bed and corner leaks, no place is dry.
雨脚如麻未断绝。
The pounding rain falls like hemp, unending.
自经丧乱少睡眠，
Amid strife and chaos, I have slept but little.
长夜沾湿何由彻。
How can I pass the long, wet nights?
安得广厦千万间，
Oh, if only a grand shelter of ten thousand rooms could be built,
大庇天下寒士俱欢颜，
To give comfort to all the chilly souls beneath it,
风雨不动安如山！
So it stands unmoved by wind or rain, secure as a mountain!
呜呼，何时眼前突兀见此屋，
Alas! When shall such a house appear before my eyes?
吾庐独破受冻死亦足！
Though mine be destroyed, I'd endure the cold and die content!
Written during a period of great turmoil in the Tang Dynasty, this poem records Du Fu’s struggle when autumn winds ripped away the thatch of his humble dwelling. Though suffering from personal hardship, Du Fu’s empathy extends far beyond himself. He laments not just his own plight, but also the misery of all those who share in life’s uncertainties. By vividly portraying children who steal his thatch, the relentless wind, and the soaking rains, he emphasizes both natural forces and human failings that contribute to his misfortune.
Yet, amid these trials, Du Fu’s spirit remains fundamentally benevolent. He imagines a vast shelter—one capable of protecting everyone from the cold and storms. This dream serves as a profound moral statement, advocating communal care and compassion in a world often marked by chaos and indifference. The repeated images of wind and rain symbolize life’s adversity, while the poet’s call for a sturdy refuge suggests the need for hope and empathy.
Throughout the poem, Du Fu’s tone fuses personal sorrow with a deep sense of social responsibility. Although physically beaten down by wind and rain, he remains spiritually steadfast in his desire that all people find safety and comfort. His willingness to sacrifice his own comfort—and even his life—reflects a deep, altruistic conviction. The poem resonates across centuries, reminding us that true humaneness often emerges most clearly in times of shared suffering and communal need.
Key points
• Compassion arises most vividly in moments of personal hardship.
• The poem underscores society’s obligation to care for the vulnerable.
• Vivid imagery of wind and rain symbolizes the unpredictability of life.
• Du Fu’s altruistic vision offers timeless inspiration for empathy and unity.