A Poem Read By Dr. Furlong

[rfmcdonald]

"Sui Diao Ge Tou"
Since when did the bright moon begin to shine?
With a cup of wine in hand I ask the deep blue sky,
I wonder what day it is tonight in heaven.
I long to ride back with the wind,
But fear that the crystal halls and jade mansions
Would be too cold on high.
Rising to dance and frolic with my clear shadow
How is it comparable with earthly joy?

Around the vermilion chamber,
Past the painted window,
The moon shines on the sleepless one.
The moon should have no ill feeling:
Why is it always full when men are separated?
Men have their joys and sorrows, their meetings and partings.
The moon has its bright and dim moments, its waxing and waning.
Since time began there has never been lasting perfection.
I only wish that we could both be healthy and well,
To share the sight of this fair beauty thousands of miles apart.

--by Su Shih, 11th century Chinese poet; translated by Daniella Qin