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Saying Good-Bye to a Friend

by Li Po (Li Bai)
Translated by Florence Ayscough & Amy Lowell (1921) · From Fir-Flower Tablets

Clear green hills at a right angle to the North wall,
White water winding to the East of the city.
Here is the place where we must part.
The lonely water-plants go ten thousand li;
The floating clouds wander everywhither as does man.
Day is departing—it and my friend.
Our hands separate. Now he is going.
"Hsiao, hsiao," the horse neighs.
He neighs again, "Hsiao, hsiao."

This poem and this translation are in the public domain. Source text: Project Gutenberg.

More poems by Li Po (Li Bai)

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