Bai Juyi's《林下樗》Alianthus in the forest
香檀文桂苦雕镌，生理何曾得自全。
知我无材老樗否，一枝不损尽天年。
Sandalwood and Cassia are cruelly engraved,
Hard it is for them to remain whole.
But know that I am the useless Ailanthus,
Who, without losing a branch, dies old.
香檀文桂苦雕镌，生理何曾得自全。
知我无材老樗否，一枝不损尽天年。
Sandalwood and Cassia are cruelly engraved,
Hard it is for them to remain whole.
But know that I am the useless Ailanthus,
Who, without losing a branch, dies old.