Drinking Alone with the Moon

A pot of wine among the flowers.
I drink alone, no friend with me.
I raise my cup to invite the moon.
He and my shadow and I make three.

The moon does not know how to drink;
My shadow mimes my capering;
But I’ll make merry with them both –
And soon enough it will be Spring.

I sing – the moon moves to and fro.
I dance – my shadow leaps and sways.
Still sober, we exchange our joys.
Drunk – and we’ll go our separate ways.

Let’s pledge – beyond human ties – to be friends,
And meet where the Silver River ends.

—

Vikram Seth, in: Vikram Seth, Three Chinese Poets, London, 2001; p. 27