Before The Cask of Wine

by Li Bai

Li Bai relied on Taoist imagery and vivid expressions in his prose and verse. His great love for liquor and wine is legendary, and we certainly appreciate that.

　　干杯Gānbēi

Vincent van Gogh, Flowering Plum Tree, 1887

　　The spring wind comes from the east and quickly passes,

　　Leaving faint ripples in the wine of the golden bowl.

　　The flowers fall, flake after flake, myriads together.

　　You, pretty girl, wine-flushed,

　　Your rosy face is rosier still.

　　How long may the peach and plum trees flower

　　By the green-painted house?

　　The fleeting light deceives man,

　　Brings soon the stumbling age.

　　Rise and dance

　　In the westering sun

　　While the urge of youthful years is yet unsubdued!

　　What avails to lament after one's hair has turned white

　　like silken threads?

　　Li Po

Before The Cask of Wine was featured as TheShort Story of the Day on Sun, Jan 01, 2012

You might also enjoy the eloquent imagery of haiku poetry by Matsuo Basho.

　　Before The Cask of Wine is featured in our collections of 100 Great Poems and Drink Poems

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