a poem by Fred Lowe

*“Li-Po reaches for the moon” monotype by Lauren Kindle, 4x6 inches*

Li Po #1

According to legend, Li-Po (Li-Bo, Li-Bai), one of the great poets of China’s T’ang, got drunk one night and climbed into his boat to view the moon. He rowed to the middle of the river so that the river-bank trees wouldn’t obcure his view.

The moon came with him, floating alongside the boat. Li-Po, thoroughly drunk with wine, but also with ZUI, the state of intoxication brought on by the moon’s full-faced radiance, reached overboard to grab her.

*“Moon-drunk” monotype by Lauren Kindle, 4x6 inches*

The boat tipped. He tumbled into the river and drowned.

Imagine his surprise: the moon disk that a few seconds before

had been drifting placidly beside him, now wobbled in shim-

mery splinters above him as the cold, black current scraped

him against the bottom stones—

With no witness, how did the story go forward?

a drifting oar

the empty boat

the sour smell of spilled wine

*“Broken reflection” monotype by Lauren Kindle, 4x6 inches*

“Li Po #1” was originally published in 2018 in The Moon Book, a poetry anthology. To purchase a booklet, email Fred Lowe at flowejr@embarqmail.com.

Fred Lowe: In addition to journal publications and two Pushcart Nominations, Fred specializes in collaborative projects with graphic artists. Singing Head, a hand-fabricated book illustrated by Val Sivilli, appeared in 2014. The Moon Book also with Ms. Sivilli was published in 2018. Tobar Diary, a publication of the Moonstone Press with original cover by Richard K Mills, was published the same year. Fred lives in Frenchtown, New Jersey and in Halls Mills, Maine.

Generous Permission

Further Reading (more poetry)

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