Drinking Alone with the Moon

Description

Audio

Text

Li Po

Program Notes

This is a simple, serene setting of Li Po’s “Drinking Alone with the Moon”, which I wrote for two of my college roommates, Rachel Moeller and Michelle Kopay.

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 watched the long road of the River of Stars.