Alone and Drinking Under the Moon by Li Po

Early moon tangled in limbs with jet stream, November, 2011

Alone and Drinking Under the Moon
By Li Po

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.           
=======================

Traditionally considered one of China's greatest poets, Li Po lived from 701 to 762 A.D., during the Tang dynasty or T'ang dynasty (618–907) Chinese dynasty that succeeded the short-lived Sui and became a golden age for poetry, sculpture, and Buddhism.  Legend holds that Li drowned when he reached from his boat to grasp the moon’s reflection in the river.

======================

I so love Li Po and have read his poetry for many, many moons.  He's my hero, my patron poet of winos, for sure.  (A.M.S., can you say amen?  LOL!!!!  You know I love you, the woman who turned me on to the most delicious, affordable wine on God's green earth, Apothic Red.)  If you drink wine, then definitely try this one---in moderation, of course.  It runs about $10 on sale at Albertson's. 

I hope all of you in the U.S., have a safe, happy Memorial Day weekend.  Have a drink for me, would you?

xo,
Marion