Pablo Sun Li – Shui Diao Ge Tou

Pablo Sun Li – Associate Director of Communications. IE Business School.

Reading:

Shui Diao Ge Tou by Su Shi, from the book Song Ci, a type of ancient poems in Song Dynasty, China.

How rare the moon, so round and clear!
With cup in hand, I ask of the blue sky,
“I do not know in the celestial sphere what name this festive night goes by?”
I want to fly home, riding the air,
But fear the ethereal cold up there, the jade and crystal mansions are so high!
Dancing to my shadow, I feel no longer the mortal tie.
She rounds the vermilion tower,
Stoops to silk-pad doors,
Shines on those who sleepless lie.
Why does she, bearing us no grudge, shine upon our parting, reunion deny?
But rare is perfect happiness–the moon does wax, the moon does wane, and so men meet and say goodbye.
I only pray our life be long,
And our souls together heavenward fly!

—

明月几时有？

把酒问青天。

不知天上宫阙、今夕是何年？

我欲乘风归去,

惟恐琼楼玉宇，高处不胜寒。

起舞弄清影，何似在人间？

转朱阁,

低绮户,

照无眠。

不应有恨、何事长向别时圆？

人有悲欢离合，月有阴晴圆缺，此事古难全。

但愿人长久,

千里共蝉娟。