Living
Drinking Alone on the Rock in the River of the Clear Stream
Translated by Florence Ayscough and Amy Lowell (1921) · From Fir-Flower Tablets (1921)
I have a flagon of wine in my hand.
I am alone on the Ancestor Rock in the river.
Since the time when Heaven and Earth were divided,
How many thousand feet has the rock grown?
I lift my cup to Heaven and smile.
Heaven turns round, the sun shines in the West.
I am willing to sit on this rock forever,
Perpetually casting my fish-line like Yen Ling.
Send and ask the man in the midst of the hills
Whether we are not in harmony, both pursuing the same thing.
Cite this poem
MLA
Po, Li. “Drinking Alone on the Rock in the River of the Clear Stream.” Translated by Florence Ayscough and Amy Lowell. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/li-po/110/.
Chicago
Po, Li. “Drinking Alone on the Rock in the River of the Clear Stream.” Translated by Florence Ayscough and Amy Lowell. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/li-po/110/.
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