Blusterous winds, unending rains, Autumn of Chaos
the four seas, eight directions one solid cloud:
horses going, cows coming, who can make out for sure?
Muddy Jing River, clear Wei, how to tell them apart?
From grain tips, ears sprouting, millet heads turned black;
no word of how farmers, farmers' wives are faring.
In the city, exchange a bed quilt, get one meager peck of grain—
just agree, don't argue over which is worth more!
— Du Fu