When is Here to be a Bright Moon? (to the tone of Shui Diao Ge Tou)

by Su Shi (1037 - 1101)

When is here to be a bright moon?

Let me raise my cup and ask the sky.

Tell me what year is tonight,

In your palaces up there?

I'd like to go up with the wind,

But fear that it may be cold so high up,

In your buildings of jade and crystals.

In casting dancing shadows in your soft light,

Can your world match with ours?

Turning around the corner of my red pavilion,

And shining through the low latticed window,

You keep me awake all night.

You can't have any grudge against us,

But why are you so happily full each time,

When our dear ones are sadly apart?

We have in human life-

Sad, happy, separation and reunion days;

Just as you have-

Overcast, clear, wax and wane days.

Entire satisfaction is impossible!

I wish we all live long,

To share the pretty moonlight,

Whenever we are,

Even thousands of miles apart.