Li Po (701-762 / Chu / Kazakhstan)

The most brilliant poems I have ever read and it is so refreshing, it brakes all stereotypes, I am humbled beyond words and expression. A man from the orient could write with such sensitivity and such depth, marvellous. Starting with the flowers and then connecting with a jug of wine, leaping to ones shadow as an Independant being and then the moon as a participant, so fresh thinking, so wild, so magnetic, it is ancient in its roots and so modern in its feel, like a young woman, dressed to reveal and yet her eyes conceal.

Midnight wine-
moon shadows dancing
tai chi with my wife

I like this poem. It brings me to places where I am alone. Sometimes I drink wine alone, and I enjoyed more when my companions talk on diverse things going to nothing. This is a poem of all times.

I would like to say that i enjoyed the poem, and furthermore Straw's mild adaptation made it a little easier to feel and understand what was trying to be portrayed. Words may be substituted when translated because what word works in one language may not fit the emotion in another. Thusly Olivarez, i feel that although Straw could easily have chosen kinder words to explain, he is right. Side note the K is by the L on almost all keyboards so he likely typed in a rush to post and move on, not noticing his mild mistake.

Can anyone explain why Mr. Straw (who certainly appears to be a fine poet) seems so angry, so often?
Does the sun refuse to shine into his window upon the world?

hmm, I'm sure I read a translation of this that flowed heaps better

Fine poem having conventional ideas of wine drinking. Full of rapture and ecstacy. Though the translation is a bit jerky yet it coveys the central theme of the poem successfully.

UHH I't's Olivarez Mr. Great critic, not Okivarez.

Unfortunately as I told you in our private letter, you seem to have appointed yourself the Judge Jury and Executioner for all of us on poemhunter and you also believe you know better than all the great poets, because you always change their words and substitute your own. I think you are just arrogant, and full of yourself. Nuff said.

Okivarez - I was not changing a great poet's work, I was trying to better a fourth rate translator's translation. What you are saying is that no poem or translation can be faulted, that they are all perfect. What you want is that we all leave our critical faculties in the cupboard when we read poetry. Your attitude is, in a word, stupid. I suggest you wake up and smell the coffee, and bring your mind along with you when you read poetry!