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.


Li Po