Night Thoughts 静夜思

Jìng Yè Sī
静 夜 思

Lĭ Bái
李 白

Chuáng qián míng yuè guāng,
床 前 明 月 光，

Yí shì dì shàng shuāng.
疑 是 地 上 霜。

Jŭ tóu wàng míng yuè,
举 头 望 明 月，

Dī tóu sī gù xiāng.
低 头 思 故 乡。

English Translation:

Night Thoughts
Li Bai
I wake and moonbeams play around my bed,
Glittering like hoar froast to my wondering eyes.
Upwards the glorious moon I raise my head,
Then lay me down and thoughts of home arise.

Author Brief:
Li Bai (701-762) was born in Suiye in Central Asia. When he was 42, he was recommended to Tang Xuan Zong, who ordered him to go to Chang'an. He stayed there for three years and was bitterly disappointed. During the years of An Lushan's rebellion, he joined the staff of Prince Li Lin. Later, because Li Lin tried to seize power and failed, Li Bai was exiled to Yelang. On his way to Yelang he was freed by an amnesty. He went to East China and died at 62 in Dangtu, Anhui.