Going to the Moon

 

T'ang Dynasty poet, Li Po, is said to have died in 762CE when he fell drunk out of a boat trying to embrace the moon.

The enamel white moon made a ladle on the water.

Li Po, a tick full of wine with a romantic heart

rowed his boat up the long handle towards the bowl,

from which light poured bright as molten magnesium

and with the fondest memories of all his loves,

fell into water with arms wide to embrace the moon.

The embrace was chill and shivering; there was no light,

but, deceived by his last lover, he fell through that glory

into the dank cavern that takes us all to our final knowing.

High up above his head the light continued to beckon;

it beckons still to wine-drinkers with love in their hearts..