Alone and Drinking Under the Moon

[Shemhazaj]

Recent announcements about the night and talks about the moon made me remember that poem that I read some time ago.

Written by Li Bai in around AD 742.

Somehow it speaks to me, so wanted to share it with you.

 

 

Alone And Drinking Under The Moon

 

Amongst the flowers I
am alone with my pot of wine
drinking by myself; then lifting
my cup I asked the moon
to drink with me, its reflection
and mine in the wine cup, just
the three of us; then I sigh
for the moon cannot drink,
and my shadow goes emptily along
with me never saying a word;
with no other friends here, I can
but use these two for company;
in the time of happiness, I
too must be happy with all
around me; I sit and sing
and it is as if the moon
accompanies me; then if I
dance, it is my shadow that
dances along with me; while
still not drunk, I am glad
to make the moon and my shadow
into friends, but then when
I have drunk too much, we
all part; yet these are
friends I can always count on
these who have no emotion
whatsoever; I hope that one day
we three will meet again,
deep in the Milky Way.

Edited June 12, 2013 by Shemhazaj

[Sharazhad]

Alone, drinking under the moon, under a tree.