ode to the moon

last night the moon did not co-operate for the Mid-Autumn Festival, the moon was hidden behind a veil of murky clouds. however, the moon was bright and round on saturday night.

as a subject, the moon has been harped on by poets and balladeers since time memorial but nothing beats Su Dongpo's poem written in 1076.

苏轼『水调歌头』

明月几时有？把酒问清天。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，千里共婵娟。


"Thinking of You"

When will the moon be clear and bright?
With a cup of wine in my hand, I ask the blue sky.
I don't know what season it would be in the heavens on this night.
I'd like to ride the wind to fly home.
Yet I fear the crystal and jade mansions are much too high and cold for me.
Dancing with my moon-lit shadow
It does not seem like the human world
The moon rounds the red mansion Stoops to silk-pad doors
Shines upon the sleepless Bearing no grudge
Why does the moon tend to be full when people are apart?
People may have sorrow or joy, be near or far apart
The moon may be dim or bright, wax or wane
This has been going on since the beginning of time
May we all be blessed with longevity Though far apart, we are still able to share the beauty of the moon together.

- Poem written during the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival of
1076 by Su Tung Po (Translated by Shun-Yi Lee in 1998)

check out faye wong's ethereal rendition of the Song dynasty poet's masterpiece.

here's to indigestion from eating too many mooncakes!