The little fête

I take a bottle of wine
and I go to drink it among the flowers.
We are always three - counting my shadow
and my friend, the shimmering moon.
Happily, the moon knows nothing of drinking
and my shadow is never thirsty.
When I sing, the moon listens to me in silence.
When I dance, my shadow dances too.
After all festivities, the guests must depart.
This sadness I do not know.
When I go home, the moon goes with me
and my shadow follows me.


Li po (701-762)