Who is Li Bai ?
According to many Li Bai is one of the greatest poets during Tang Dynasty, that time was called the Chinese "golden age" of classical Chinese poetry. He was considered as a creative and prolific poet, as well as one who stretched the rules of versification of his time. Around a thousand extant poems are attributed to him today.
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In the area of Chinese cultural influence, Li Bai's poetry has been much esteemed from his lifetime through the present day. His influence also extends to Japan and the West through many translations, adaptations, and much inspiration.
I found some of his poems in wikisource and I would like to share them with you !!
Drinking Alone in the Moonlight
A pot of wine among flowers.I alone, drinking, without a companion.I lift the cup and invite the bright moon.My shadow opposite certainly makes us three.But the moon cannot drink,And my shadow follows the motions of my body in vain.For the briefest time are the moon and my shadow my companions.Oh, be joyful! One must make the most of Spring.I sing--the moon walks forward rhythmically;I dance, and my shadow shatters and becomes confused.In my waking moments we are happily blended.When I am drunk, we are divided from one another and scattered.For a long time I shall be obligated to wander without intention.But we will keep our appointment by the far-off Cloudy River.
With a jar of wine I sit by the flowering trees.
I drink alone, and where are my friends?
Ah, the moon above looks down on me;
I call and lift my cup to his brightness.
And see, there goes my shadow before me.
Hoo! We’re a party of three, I say, –
Though the poor moon can’t drink,
And my shadow but dances around me,
We’re all friends to-night,
The drinker, the moon and the shadow.
Let our revelry be meet for the spring time!
I sing, the wild moon wanders the sky.
I dance, my shadow goes tumbling about.
While we’re awake, let us join in carousal;
Only sweet drunkenness shall ever part us.
Let us pledge a friendship no mortals know,
And often hail each other at evening
Far across the vast and vaporous space!
I drink alone, and where are my friends?
Ah, the moon above looks down on me;
I call and lift my cup to his brightness.
And see, there goes my shadow before me.
Hoo! We’re a party of three, I say, –
Though the poor moon can’t drink,
And my shadow but dances around me,
We’re all friends to-night,
The drinker, the moon and the shadow.
Let our revelry be meet for the spring time!
I sing, the wild moon wanders the sky.
I dance, my shadow goes tumbling about.
While we’re awake, let us join in carousal;
Only sweet drunkenness shall ever part us.
Let us pledge a friendship no mortals know,
And often hail each other at evening
Far across the vast and vaporous space!
Both of the poems are amazing, arent they. You can feel the ancient spirit of the classical Chinese poetry !!!
