drinking alone in the moonlight

another fun thing to ponder on my birthday.

this poem was written by a great chinese poet, who was known for romantic poems filled with magical images. tradtionally, he is supposed to have drowned while attempting to embace the moon's reflection in the water. i think we would have been great friends.

drinking alone in the moonlight

li po

(701 - 762)

Beneath the blossoms with a pot of wine,

No friends at hand, so I poured alone;

I raised my cup to invite the moon,

Turned to my shadow, and we became three.

Now the moon had merely followed my form,

But I quickly made friends with the moon and my shadow;

To find pleasure in life, make the most of spring.

Whenever I sang, the moon swayed with me;

Whenever I danced, my shadow went wild.

Drinking, we shared our enjoyment together;

Drunk, then each went off on his own.

But forever agreed on dispassionate revels,

We promised to meet in the far Milky Way.