Poets Never Die

[Tinker]

Poets Never Die

Ancient Chinese poet, Tang Dynasty genius.
Li Po loved his wine, wrote wonder, drunk or sober. 
Legend says he drowned in Yangtze River, drunkenly he attempted to embrace moon's reflection.
                                              ~~ Judi Van Gorder
                                                                             Verse Form: Three-Five-Seven

[tonyv]

I love how this anti-Narcissus "wrote wonder, drunk or sober"! Also, the mention of the Yangtze River strikes a personal note; Yangtze China was the name of a restaurant we frequented back in the late '70's and early '80s while I growing up. I know it's unrelated, but you know how you just like certain people, places, music, poems, etc. because of the complex associations that you might make? The nostalgic element just made it real for me. I enjoyed this.

Tony

[Tinker]

Thanks Tony, Li Po or Li Bai isn't the only Chinese or otherwise poet who liked his wine but he wrote many poems about the pleasures of drinking wine and was known to show up drunk at court where he was summoned to compose a poem at his Lord's pleasure.  Historians really aren't sure how he died but the legend prevails and I think it quite a poetic statement of his life and his writing. I'm a fan.  I have the Anchor Book of Chinese Poetry which I love.  For one thing the poems are all pretty short so they hold my attention.  But they are also very earthy and real.

And I do get that association thing.  I just love the sound of the name, Yangtze.  

~~Tink 

Drinking Alone

A pot of wine in the flower garden,
but no friends drink with me.
so I raise my cup to the bright moon
and to my shadow, which makes us three,
but the moon won't drink
and my shadow just creeps about my heels.
Yet in your company, moon and shadow,
I have a wild time til spring dies out.
I sing and the moon shudders.
My shadow staggers when I dance.
We have our fun while I can stand
then drift apart when I fall asleep.
Let's share this empty journey often,
and meet again in the milky river of stars.
                                        ~~Li Po
                                              translated by Tony Barnstone and Chou Ping