In an untitled poem, Li Shangwen writes: "Meeting is painful, and parting too. When the east wind's strength passes, the hundred flowers wither. The spring silkworm spins silk until she dies; only when the candle is burnt down does it cease to shed tears."
李商隱的詩「無題」說：「相見時難別亦難，東風無力百花殘；春蠶到死絲方盡，蠟炬成灰淚始乾。」