Down from the Mountain

Portrait of Li Po
Li Po 701–762

As down Mount Emerald at eve I came, The mountain moon went all the way with me. Backward I looked, to see the heights aflame With a pale light that glimmered eerily.

A little lad undid the rustic latch As hand in hand your cottage we did gain, Where green limp tendrils at our cloaks did catch, And dim bamboos o'erhung a shadowy lane.

Gaily I cried, "Here may we rest our fill!" Then choicest wines we quaffed; and cheerily "The Wind among the Pines" we sang, until A few faint stars hung in the Galaxy.

Merry were you, my friend: and drunk was I, Blissfully letting all the world go by.

Keep reading

Discover more of Li Po’s poetry.

Explore all poems

Readers

Reader discussion

Your turn

Shown with your comment.

Never published. Only so we can reach you.

Comments are read before they appear. See our terms.