On Li Po’s Death

 

David Polizzi

Originally published in The Evergreen Review Issue 104 in 2001.
 

They say
you drowned
one night
trying to kiss
the moon.

Your head
full of plum wine
you staggered
toward the river.

You and your
boat floating
on water softly
glazed with stars.

Suddenly excited
you reached for the moon
and tumbled
from that boat
your body

falling to
another sky.

It's late
and I'm far
from water

searching
for the moon.