Category: Short Story/Poetry

DRINKING ALONE WITH THE MOON

Debbie Littledeer

From a pot of wine among the flowers

I drank alone.

There was no one with me —

Till, raising my cup, I asked the bright moon

To bring me my shadow and make us three.

Alas, the moon was unable to drink,

And my shadow tagged me vacantly;

But still for a while I had these friends

To cheer me through the end of spring…

I sang. The moon encouraged me.

I danced. My shadow tumbled after.

As long as I knew, we were boon companions.

And then I was drunk, and we lost one another.

… Shall goodwill ever be secure?

I watch the long road of the River of Stars.

Li Po

Soul Stirrings

A soul weighed down by cruel fate
In vain thinks of lessening its grief
With love, which is another grief.
Collect your thoughts,
And if you are not foolish then let your pain
Come from chains around your feet, not your heart.

In Italian

Alma Oppressa
Alma oppressa da sorte crudele
Pensa invan mitgare il dolore
Con amore, ch’ è un altro dolor.
Deh raccogli al pensierio e vele,
E se folle non sei, ti dia pena
La ctena del piè, e non del cor.

Scipione Maffei (1675-1755)