此诗首联一二句，借景色象征失落和流泪，独自抚琴唱歌。颔联三四句，写自己愿意放纵，不想修行。颈联五六句，虽然有人来找，自己却过着女道士生活。尾联七八句，平凡的人终身只能做道士，蹉跎青春。此诗表示不愿意过女道士生活。
鱼玄机·《愁思》
落叶纷纷暮雨和，朱丝独抚自清歌。
放情休恨无心友，养性空抛苦海波。
长者车音门外有，道家书卷枕前多。
布衣终作云霄客，绿水青山时一过。
Melancholy Thoughts
Yu Xuanji
Falling leaves scatter,
along with the evening rain;
sitting alone, I play the lute,
sing aloud to myself.
Letting go of emotions,
I no more resent
a lack of intimate friends;
nurturing nature,
I freely give up
the waves of the ocean of pain.
The carriages of rich men
clatter outside the door,
by my pillow, in contrast,
are many books on the Tao.
A commoner may at last
reach a high estate,
but time in the verdant mountains and rivers
only passes once.
（Bannie Chow, Thomas Cleary 译）