Li Bai 李白 - Famous Chinese Poet

My mom always used to tell me about this famous Chinese poet - Li Bai 李白, one of the two greatest Chinese poet in Chinese literacy world. He was said to compose poems within the lightning speed without any correction. She would recite to me the Li Bai's "Drinking Alone Under the Moon 月下独酌" She explained Li Bai's feeling on how he drank the wine under the pavilion and he saw a moon hanging lonely in the sky. He heaved a big sigh and drank up the wine under the full moon. My mom told me that Li Bai was very lonely and depressed poet. He travelled all over China and he had visited Yellow Mountain 黄山 for his inspiration. Thousands of famous poems can be seen at Huang Shan.




Here is his Chinese poem 月下独酌

花间一壶酒，
独酌无相亲。

举杯邀明月，
对影成三人。

月既不解饮，
影徒随我身。

暂伴月将影，
行乐须及春。

我歌月徘徊，
我舞影零乱。

醒时同交欢，
醉后各分散。

永结无情游，
相期邈云汉。

Amongst the flowers is a pot of wine
I pour alone but with no friend at hand
So I lift the cup to invite the shining moon,
Along with my shadow we become party of three

The moon although understands none of drinking, and
The shadow just follows my body vainly
Still I make the moon and the shadow my company
To enjoy the springtime before too late

The moon lingers while I am singing
The shadow scatters while I am dancing
We cheer in delight when being awake
We separate apart after getting drunk

Forever will we keep this unfettered friendship
Till we meet again far in the Milky Way