Blue mountains lie beyond the north wall;
Round the city's eastern side flows the white water.
Here we part, friend, once forever.
You go ten thousand miles, drifting away
Like an unrooted water-grass.
Oh, the floating clouds and the thoughts of a wanderer!
Oh, the sunset and the longing of an old friend!
We ride away from each other, waving our hands,
While our horses neigh softly, softly . . . .
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
what stands out to me about this poem is how li po creates perspective. the first two lines help that referring to two directions. the ten thousand miles and the simile of unrooted water-grass create the picture of widening distance. the last four lines not only complete the picture- in which we now seem to see the friends riding in different directions from an aerial perspective- but also express a keen yearning. -glen kappy