He invites us to play.
J.P Seaton
Bright Moon, White Clouds: Selected Poems of Li Po
I’ve started with a word-for-word, and worked my way toward something that might even enable you to have a go at making your own translation.
I find myself dwelling on “Quiet Night Thoughts”. There is an earlier version in Seaton’s The Shambhala Anthology of Chinese Poetry
Before the bed, bright moonlight.
I took it for frost on the ground.
I raised my head to dream upon that moon,
then bowed my head, lost, in thoughts of home.
There are two later versions in Bright Moon, White Clouds (He has a thoughtful appendix leading to a freer version). I like this one which cleaves closely to the word-for-word.
Before the bed, bright moon light.
I took it for frost on the ground,
I raised my head to think of the moon,
then bowed my head to dream of home.
Taking my cue from him, I proffer Seaton’s version with a slight adjustment to syntax:
Before the bed, bright moon light.
I took it for frost on the ground,
I raised my head to think of the moon,
then, to dream of home, bowed my head.
And so for day 3007
06.03.2015