Seeing Robert Okaji’s Thinking of Li Po at Sky’s End reminded me that I’ve had this Chinese interpretation (key word: interpretation!) in my draft folder for a few months. I decided I probably should post it while the calendar says it’s (technically) still autumn – although the snow here would say otherwise.
Drunken Sleep (visiting Tu Mu)
This wine is fit for an autumn rain
in the cold, as leaves fall around the house.
There is no need to go out, only to sleep.
Time for one more cup when this one is empty.
Literal translations of classic Chinese poetry can be found at chinese-poems.com. This is my interpretation of a poem by Tu Mu. The literal translation, as provided at chinese-poems.com, is as follows:
Drunken Sleep
Autumn wine rain in well made
Cold house fall leaf in
Hermit really much asleep
More pour one cup empty
Image source: Harvard Art Museums – Night Rain at Karasaki, by Utagawa Hiroshige
More Chinese interpretations can be found here.
rivrvlogr 
Very nice, Ken. Your translation really sets a scene.
The literal translation sounds like someone had too much wine. 🙂
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LOL @ “too much wine”
Thank you, Merril.
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🙂
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Ditto Merril’s comments. Though something about “Hermit really much asleep” appeals … sounds quite snuggly. I agree with your last 2 lines re this night … and all in all, much prefer your rendition.
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Thanks, Jazz! 🙂
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Good rendition, Ken. I love those wine drinking poets 🙂
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Thank you, Lisa. Cheers!
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You’re welcome and Cheers!
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Now that’s a good thought for this weather! Wonderful rendering. (K)
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😀 Thank you.
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A versatile interpretation… with minor revisions it fits with late autumn here:
This wine is fit for an autumn snow in the cold, as snow falls around the house. There is no need to go out, only to sleep. Time for one more cup when this one is empty.
😉
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Yes!
Our snow is gone, again! We’ll have 50º by Monday. After seven years here (in Missouri), I’m still not used to it. The winter temperature is like a yo-yo.
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