Within a Sky Full of Earth

Down the blue mountain in the evening.
Moonlight was my homeward escort.
Looking back. I saw my path
Lie in levels of deep shadow...
I was passing the farm-house of a friend.
When his children called from a gate of thorn
And led me twining through jade bamboos
Where green vines caught and held my clothes.
And I was glad of a chance to rest
And glad of a chance to drink with my friend...
We sang to the tune of the wind in the pines;
And we finished our songs as the stars went down.
When. I being drunk and my friend more than happy.
Between us we forgot the world.
DOWN ZHONGNAN MOUNTAIN TO THE KIND PILLOW AND BOWL OF HUSI • Li Bai