但愿人长久

Just want to share this very nice poem by Su Dong Puo.

明月几时有，
把酒问青天。
不知天上宫阙，
今昔是何年。
我欲乘风归去，
又恐琼楼玉宇，
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。


“How often comes a bright moon?”
I asked this of the blue sky.
I held up my drinking cup,
As I pled for a reply.

I wonder, this night of nights---
Is what calendar year?
Above and beyond the clouds,
Is what celestial sphere?

I’d wish to ride on the wind,
To my blessed heavenly home,
With its marble halls and floors,
And its alabaster dome.

That would be magnificent,
But the cold I cannot stand.
To an earthling that I am,
It won’t be a happy land.

I prefer a cozy place,
Closer to the human heart,
As the shadow in my dance,
Can play its intimate part.

There’s nothing in paradise
That is of similar worth---
To living among mankind,
In his so-called mundane earth.

Soon moonlight will shift its place---
O’er the top of chambers red.
Through windows with their curtains,
To sleepless people, instead.

There shouldn’t be love or hatred---
Between mankind and the moon.
But why should it turn fully---
Upon those who’re part soon?

The moon has weather that changes,
Fine or foul; it does wax and wane.
Mankind is sad at parting,
Happy at reunion again.

From the utmost ancient times,

Down to our own very days,
The imperfection of all things---
Has forever been the case.

One can do no more than wish---
All people would keep growing strong.
And though they are far apart,
They’d share moonlight well and long.