Poem: SU TUNG P’O

This poem by Su Tung P'o was translated by Kenneth Rexroth. You can find many of his translations and other writings by and about him here.

MOON, FLOWERS, MAN

I raise my cup and invite
The moon to come down from the
Sky. I hope she will accept
Me. I raise my cup and ask
The branches, heavy with flowers,
To drink with me. I wish them
Long life and promise never
To pick them. In company
With the moon and the flowers,
I get drunk, and none of us
Ever worries about good
Or bad. How many people
Can comprehend our joy? I
Have wine and moon and flowers.
Who else do I want for drinking companions?

Tags: Su Tung P'o, Kenneth Rexroth, poetry, translations, getting drunk