Drinking Alone
Li Bai (also known as Li Po or Li Tai-po) was one of the most celebrated and influential poets in the entire history of Chinese literature. He lived during the Tang Dynasty (618–907 CE), which proved to be a golden age for Chinese poetry.
His poems are known for their beauty, power, romanticism and emotional depth. His poetry often reflects Taoist philosophies, emphasizing harmony with nature, spontaneity, and a sense of transcendence. He loved wandering and the beauty of nature – and he also loved wine.
Legend has it that he died drunk, trying to embrace the Moon in the Yellow River.
Here is one of his poems…
Drinking Alone with the Moon
A pot of wine among the flowers.
I drink alone, no friend with me.
I raise my cup to invite the moon.
He and my shadow make three men.
The moon does not know how to drink;
My shadow merely follows my form.
Yet with the moon as friend and the shadow as comrade
I must make merry before the spring is spent.
I sing, and the moon lingers.
I dance, and my shadow scatters.
While still we were sober, we shared our joy;
Now we are drunk, let us each go our way.
May we long share our odd, inanimate feast,
And meet at last on the Cloudy River of the sky.
by Li Bai (701-762 CE)
(Translation by Arthur Waley)