Taking Leave of a Friend
Taking Leave of a Friend
Li Bai
Blue mountains to the north of the walls,
White river winding about them;
Here we must make separation
And go out through a thousand miles of dead grass.
Mind like a floating wide cloud.
Sunset like the parting of old acquaintances
Who bow over their clasped hands at a distance.
Our horses neigh to each other
as we are departing.
Verse breaks and indentation are preserved. Wrapped lines have a hanging indent. Width adapts to your screen.
From Cathay (1915). Translation in the public domain. · Translated by Ezra Pound





















