Drinking Alone Beneath the Moon

A jug of wine amid the flowery splendor …
No-one around aside from me …
Raising my cup toward the shining moon
I faced my shadow, the third pal in our round.
The moon is useless when it comes to drink, though,
And my shadow only managed to follow me around.
Yet they were company at least, shadow and moon,
Enhancing my delight while springtime drew toward its end.
I sang a song; the moon swayed back and forth with glee.
I hopped and danced; my shadow followed stumbling after me.
We relished each other’s company while I was drinking.
Once I was drunk, both of them left me, each one by himself.
It seems we roam about through vastness, aimlessly, forever.
Let’s meet again when we have reached the Star Stream’s end!

—

Reinhard F. Hahn (Translation provided by translator)