Question 40!
40. Please share a poem with me, I need it.
Oh man, which one do I even start with.... let's see, I'm always thunderstruck by this translation (which I believe is by Witter Bynner) of the Du Fu poem "To My Retired Friend Wei" because god does it hit.
It is almost as hard for friends to meet As for the Orion and Scorpius. Tonight then is a rare event, Joining, in the candlelight, Two men who were young not long ago But now are turning grey at the temples. To find that half our friends are dead Shocks us, burns our hearts with grief. We little guessed it would be twenty years Before I could visit you again. When I went away, you were still unmarried; But now these boys and girls in a row Are very kind to their father's old friend. They ask me where I have been on my journey; And then, when we have talked awhile, They bring and show me wines and dishes, Spring chives cut in the night-rain And brown rice cooked freshly a special way. My host proclaims it a festival, He urges me to drink ten cups— But what ten cups could make me as drunk As I always am with your love in my heart? Tomorrow the mountains will separate us; After tomorrow—who can say?
