Taking Leave of a Friend by Li Po (Li Bai)

Here at the city wall
green mountains to the north
white water winding east
we part

one tumbleweed
ten thousand miles to go

high clouds
wandering thoughts

sunset
old friendship

you wave, moving off
your horse
whinnies
twice

translated by David Young

4 thoughts on “Taking Leave of a Friend by Li Po (Li Bai)

  1. Reading Seaton’s translations of Li Po right now (Bright Moon, White Clouds). But really like what you’ve posted by David Young. Will have to check his translations out as well.

    • I find I have favorites of different translations of some of these better known poems that have been translated by several people. And sometimes I like them all. But I can see why you like the Seaton book. It is dual language which works for you in your own translations. Have you checked out the Red Pine book Poems of the Masters? That’s dual language as well.

  2. Yes! I have read that cover to cover, and it’s great seeing some of those poems on your site. I do appreciate the layout with the Traditional Chinese and the translation on facing pages, as well as Red Pine’s historical/biographical gloss. It created valuable reference points without throwing interpretation at the reader.

Leave a reply to Jeff Schwaner Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.