《月下独酌(其一)》- 李白

[Li Bai]- Drinking Alone Under the Moon

Amidst the flowers, a pot of wine, I drink alone, no kindred near. Raising my cup, I invite the bright moon, My shadow joins, we become three.

The moon does not understand the taste of wine, My shadow only follows my form. For now, I'll share my joy with moon and shadow, Seize the pleasures of spring.

I sing, the moon dances in reply, I dance, my shadow sways in disarray. Awake, we share our revelry, Drunk, we each go our own way.

Forever bound by this heartless rendezvous, We meet again amidst the distant clouds.

《月下独酌(其一)》 作者:李白 花间一壶酒,独酌无相亲。 举杯邀明月,对影成三人。 月既不解饮,影徒随我身。 暂伴月将影,行乐须及春。 我歌月徘徊,我舞影零乱。 醒时同交欢,醉后各分散。 永结无情游,相期邈云汉。

Explanation:

Line 1: The poem opens with a solitary image of the poet drinking alone under the moonlit night. The phrase "花間一壺酒,獨酌無相親" (amidst the flowers, a pot of wine, I drink alone, no kindred near) sets the tone of loneliness and isolation.

Line 2: In the second line, the poet reaches out to the moon, inviting it to join him in his solitary drinking. The phrase "舉杯邀明月,對影成三人" (raising my cup, I invite the bright moon, my shadow joins, we become three) suggests a sense of longing for companionship.

Line 3: However, the poet acknowledges that the moon is incapable of understanding or sharing his human emotions. The phrase "月既不解飲,影徒隨我身" (the moon does not understand the taste of wine, my shadow only follows my form) emphasizes the poet's isolation.

Line 4: Despite this, the poet decides to embrace his solitude and find solace in the company of the moon and his shadow. The phrase "暫伴月將影,行樂須及春" (for now, I'll share my joy with moon and shadow, seize the pleasures of spring) conveys a sense of determination to find happiness in the present moment.

Lines 5-6: The poet engages in a playful dance with his reflection, mirroring his inner emotions. The phrases "我歌月徘徊,我舞影零亂" (I sing, the moon dances in reply, I dance, my shadow sways in disarray) and "醒時同交歡,醉后各分散" (awake, we share our revelry, drunk, we each go our own way) capture the fleeting nature of companionship and the cyclical nature of human experience.

Line 7: The final line expresses the poet's longing for a deeper connection, even if it is only in the realm of imagination. The phrase "永結無情游,相期邈云汉" (forever bound by this heartless rendezvous, we meet again amidst the distant clouds) suggests a yearning for transcendence and immortality.

Overall, the poem "Drinking Alone Under the Moon" is a poignant reflection on the themes of solitude, companionship, and the fleeting nature of life. Li Bai's masterful use of imagery and symbolism creates a vivid and evocative portrayal of the poet's inner world.