覆巢行
荒城古木枝多枯，飞禽嗷嗷朝哺雏。
枝倾巢覆雏坠地，乌鸢下啄更相呼。
阳和发生均孕育，鸟兽有情知不足。
枝危巢小风雨多，未容长成已先覆。
灵枝珍木满上林，凤巢阿阁重且深。
尔今所托非本地，乌鸢何得同尔心。
作品评述
《覆巢行》是唐代诗人孟郊创作的一首诗词，描写了一片荒凉的城市中，古树枝条枯萎，鸟雀们困苦地供养幼雏的情景。但是由于树枝摇摇欲坠，巢穴狭小，风雨交加，树巢往往未能留存太久就先行倾覆。诗词表达了孟郊对生命的无常和脆弱的认识，同时也暗示了人与自然的关系以及人类对于生存环境的适应性。
诗词的中文译文如下：
荒城古木枝多枯，
In the desolate city, the ancient trees have many withered branches,
The ancient trees in the desolate city have many withered branches,
飞禽嗷嗷朝哺雏。
The flying birds loudly feed their chicks in the morning.
The birds in flight cried as they fed their chicks in the morning.
枝倾巢覆雏坠地，
The branches tilt and the nests overturn, the young birds fall to the ground,
Branches teeter, nests flip, and chicks tumble to the ground,
乌鸢下啄更相呼。
The crows and buzzards scavenge and call for each other.
Blackbirds and kites swoop down, calling to one another.
阳和发生均孕育，
With the warmth of the sun, everything comes to life,
In the warmth of the sun's rays, all things breed,
鸟兽有情知不足。
Birds and beasts have emotions, but they are unsatisfied.
Birds and beasts are sentient, yet they are aware of their insufficiency.
枝危巢小风雨多，
The branches are precarious, the nests are small, and there are many wind and rain.
Perilous branches, tiny nests, constant wind and rain,
未容长成已先覆。
Before they can grow, they are already overturned.
Before they can grow, they are already destroyed.
灵枝珍木满上林，
Spiritual branches, precious trees, fill the forest,
Spiritual branches and precious trees fill the upper forest,
凤巢阿阁重且深。
The phoenix's nest, the owl's chamber, are heavy and deep.
Phoenix's nests and owls' chambers are heavy and deep.
尔今所托非本地，
Now that you are entrusted, it is not your homeland,
Now entrusted, it is not your native place,
乌鸢何得同尔心。
How can crows and buzzards share your heart?
How can blackbirds and kites share your heart?
这首诗词通过描绘荒凉城市中的景象，以及其中鸟类和树木的关系，深刻表达了孟郊对生命的脆弱和无常的认识。诗中的树枝和巢穴象征着人类生存环境的不稳定和临时性，而鸟兽们则象征着人类对此环境的适应和努力。诗中表达了人与自然的关系，以及人类对于生活环境的适应性和对于不确定性的感知。同时，诗中还隐含了对于人类能力和生命的深思，以及对于社会现实中的迁移、托庇和归属感等主题的探讨，展示了孟郊独特的艺术和思想风格。