As usual, at my little pool’s edge I drink
Illumined by the pendulous moon’s disc—
A pot of wine sinks into the thick grasses
Because this evening hour—alone I drink
Without a boon companion of mine,
My good compotator from the nearby
Daoist temple who often shares
My booze with me once dropping in
At my place. Tonight the moon I invite
As a company instead, and with
My ubiquitous shade we make the trio
Of old soaks. Her Majesty Moon,
Reflecting brightly in the pool, I can see,
Does not drink from the wine-pot
Whilst my shade silently follows my hand,
Now up now down, pushing me forward
A fit of my loneliness and blues.
I am going to keep this silent company
For some more time and then
I’ll wend my way to the nearby village
To have a real gaiety throughout the night
In high gear of the Mid-Autumn Feast,
As only joys shared with others,
They say, are more enjoyed, my friend!
No man is an island and your take on the great poet's need to leave his isolation for some gaiety is beautifully done.
Ron