Li Bai

Wanderer with sword slung on my back, Tang wind blowing through my black robe stack Moon glow spills over mountain tracks, I drown my soul in wine’s sweet rack Palace lords beg me write their lines, gold silk gifts I leave behind I don’t bow down to crown or sign, freedom’s all I seek to find Peach blossom brook where water flows, I sip my brew and let time slow Scrolls of verse stacked row on row, the whole wide world’s my private show Clouds drift low above the lake, no mortal chain my spirit break Li Bai, drunk under silver moon Poetry burns inside my wound Sword in hand, wine cup full bloom Tang’s wild poet, I consume Li Bai, roam the earth alone All the vanity I disown Heaven’s verses I’ve outgrown Drunk immortal, on my throne Ride the boat across the river tide, one jar of wine to calm my pride Emperors call, I turn aside, my wild heart cannot be tied I paint the stars with ink and brush, laugh at nobles hush hush hush Mountains high where cold winds rush, my poetic fire never crush Night sky filled with lunar light, I toast the moon through endless night Men chase wealth and empty might, I chase verses day and night No jail, no rank, no royal gate, just wine, sword, verse, and endless fate They call me mad, they call me free No golden throne belongs to me Moon’s my friend, wine’s my remedy All dynasties fade, my words survive eternally I walk the roads no lords can see Immortal soul, wild poetry Li Bai, drunk under silver moon Poetry burns inside my wound Sword in hand, wine cup full bloom Tang’s wild poet, I consume Li Bai, roam the earth alone All the vanity I disown Heaven’s verses I’ve outgrown Drunk immortal, on my throne Li Bai, drunk under silver moon Poetry burns inside my wound Sword in hand, wine cup full bloom Tang’s wild poet, I consume Li Bai, roam the earth alone All the vanity I disown Heaven’s verses I’ve outgrown Drunk immortal, on my throne Li Bai, moon and wine, forever mine