Waterfront Serenade

Author: Su Shi (1037—1101)

When did the moon come into being?

Holding a glass of wine, I ask the sky in the moonlight.

At heaven’s palace,

What year is tonight?

Taking the wings of the wind would be what I’d love,

But I’m afraid the palace of gods is far above,

Unbearably chilly up there.

Better to dance here with my shadow

For an out-of-the-world flair.

The moonlight sparkles around a red chamber.

It comes down through ornate windows.

It shines on the sleepless me so fair.

I should not repine,

But why is it often full when my love is elsewhere?

People sorrowfully depart and joyfully reunite.

The moon waxes and wanes in the clear or cloudy sky.

These won’t change despite how much we care.

We can only wish for each other’s well being.

Even thousands of miles apart, there’s moonlight we share.

Tomorrow is the Mid-Autumn Festival! It is called the Mid-Autumn Festival because its arrival was considered mid autumn by ancient Chinese. This concept is quite different than the modern view in which the autumnal equinox equates the beginning of fall. No wonder Westerners hardly ever call the Chinese holiday “Mid-Autumn Festival” but prefer using “Moon Festival.”

The Moon Festival falls in September more frequently than in early October. It’s the 15th of the eighth lunar month, which marks the eighth full moon of the lunar year.

The celebration of the Moon Festival dates back more than 3,000 years. It began as a moon worshiping festival in the harvest season but gradually evolved into a holiday for family reunions.

Copyright: A Poetic Portal To Chinese Culture, China Pictorial Press

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