When will the bright moon appear?
Holding a wine cup, I question the blue
sky.
I don’t know what time of year it is
tonight
in the palace towers of heaven.
I would ride the wind and go there,
but fear those elegant buildings and jade
eaves,
and that I couldn’t last in the height and
cold.
I rise to dance with my pale shadow –
better to stay in the human world.
The moon around the cinnabar pavilions
comes low through silk-draped doors
to shine on the sleepless.
There should be no regrets for anyone,
so why are we separated for so long?
People have sorrow and joy, parting and reunion.
Like the moon waxing or waning or going
from full to crescent,
since ancient times nothing has ever been
perfect.
Nevertheless, I wish you long life,
So we’ll share a thousand kinds of grace
and beauty!
Su Shi,
(1037-1101)
