Wednesday, December 7, 2011

looking back, i saw my path

i'm wrapping my self
in the soft pale clothes of late autumn


this morning, i came across this beautiful piece of writing by the eighth century chinese poet li bai.

"down zhongan mountain to the kind pillow and bowl of husi"

down the blue mountain in the evening,
moonlight was my homeward escort.
looking back, i saw my path
lie in levels of deep shadow....
i was passing the farm-house of a friend,
when his children called from a gate of thorn
and led me twining through jade bamboos
where green vines caught and held my clothes.
and i was glad of a chance to rest
and glad of a chance to drink with my friend....
we sang to the tune of the wind in the pines;
and we finished our songs as the stars went down,
when, i being drunk and my friend more than happy,
between us we forgot the world.


8 comments:

Reya Mellicker said...

Beautiful! You introduced me to that poet some time ago. He also likes to get drunk with the moon, hey? My kind of guy.

Your new banner is completely resplendent! Wow.

ellen abbott said...

I try not to look behind, only forward but I'm all for pausing on the journey to visit and drink with friends.

R. Burnett Baker said...

With Li Bai, there is no pretense in his words. That makes his poetry lyrical. It also drives academia mad.

The Weaver of Grass said...

There is always something so peaceful and beautiful about Chinese poetry isn't there?

steven said...

reya - i love the guy's writing - entirely down to earth and honest. real even!!! steven

steven said...

ellen i find the past informs the present and allows me to be more available to what is necessary. steven

steven said...

rick - nailed the piece to the wall - sweet!! steven

steven said...

weaver - it's just so lacking in pretense or cleverness. steven