Li Po Still Lives

In China, they wrote poetry more than a thosand years before the United States became a nation. One of China's greatest poets was Li Po. He lived from 701–762.

Here is one of his poems:

Taking Leave of a Friend by Li Po

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 . . . .

Simon Elegant wrote a novel about Li Po's life, A Floating Life, that was well-reviewed by the New York Times.

Learn more about Li Po.

The link below will lead you to a well-rated book of Li Po's poems.