前两句正是描写了木槿的特性，木槿花在寒凉的秋风里争相怒放，一时间看来风光无限，景色独好，只可惜朝发暮落，不能长久。后两句是有感于后宫女子与木槿何其相似，都那么身不由己，韶华易逝。

《槿花》 李商隐

风露凄凄秋景繁，可怜荣落在朝昏。
未央宫里三千女，但保红颜莫保恩。

Hibiscus Flowers
Li Shang-yin

Chill wind and dew repeat the autumn scene:
Pity! Flowers that bloom and fade in a day.
In the Emperor's palace, three thousand girls:
Preserve your pretty faces, but not his grace.