KATAWA: It's OK To Smile And Laugh

To Those Moon Lovers

Thinking Of You

When will the moon be clear and bright?
With a cup of wine in my hand, I ask the blue sky,
In the heavens on this night,
I wonder what season would it be.

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 experience sorrow, joy, separation and reunion, 

The moon may be dim or bright, round or crescent shaped,

This imperfection has been going on since the beginning of time.

May we all be blessed with longevity,

Though thousands of miles apart, 

We are still able to share the beauty of the moon together.

By : Su Shi, written on the night of The Mid-Autumn Moon Festival in 1076.
Origin : China

Ema's notes :

1. The Mid-Autumn Moon Festival is the same as Thanksgiving in America. It falls on the night of October's fall when the moon is the fullest.

2. Probably, at that time, all people, near or distant, are looking at the same moon at the same. It's a moment to reminisce.

3. There are many translated versions of this poem. However, I like this one the most.

4. In simple word, I can say that the moon is abused pretty well in order to describe the emotions of the poet. There are paradoxes ( he want to go home, but he's tired of it, full moon when people are apart ) and when you thought that the poet is breaking down, he ends it with a sweet phrase;

Though thousands of miles apart,

We are still able to share the beauty of the moon together.

Go outside and watch the moon. Know that though we are apart, it's the same moon I've been staring, while waiting for your read. He he...