A Poem of Wine

Although recently the weather was not quite pleasant in Bordeaux, last night there was still a moment where the moonlight was bright and clear that you could even see your shadow on the moonlit floor. What a peaceful image! It was reminiscent of an ancient Chinese poem <Libation of Solitary Under the Moonlight>.

So here comes the themes of the week: Moonlight, shadow and wine.

What we are going to "taste" now is a poem about wine, wrote by a Chinese poet of Tang Dynasty, Li Bai (701-762). The scene was carefully designed yet so natural, with a fascinating environment and atmosphere, you can probably enjoy it even if there is quite a solitude between the lines…

Li Bai has strong political ambitions while contempt for wealth and rank. As an idealist, he often dissatisfied with reality. However, what a great poet does with a frustrated career and disillusion with life, is to drinks his sorrows away and chants verse as a way of self-distraction. 

<Libation of Solitary Under the Moonlight>

Among the flowers there is a jug of wine, I drink alone without a friend.

By raising the cup, I invite the bright moon;

Here is my shadow reflected before me, now we are three.

The moon, however, knows nothing about drinking.

And the shadow can only follow me in vain.

Nevertheless, I still regard them as partners for the nonce.

By the joy of frolic, let's celebrate the good time of spring night!

When I sing, the moon lingers around me;

When I dance, my deformed shadow is wandering.

We share the joy as we are sober;

While getting tipsy we separated from one another. 

Henceforward, I would like to go together with the moon;

Roaming on the distant Milky Way.

Well, if you happen to have to spend your Christmas and New Year holidays alone, this one is for you. Not the sad and solitary part, but the romantic imagination accompanied by wine. Also, we do believe the translation can always be improved, so any comments would be appreciated and you are welcome to share your thoughts with us!