[Poem] BRING IN THE WINE - A Grand Ode to Living Fully

A dynamic traditional Chinese banquet scene at night, featuring a group of scholars in Tang dynasty attire joyously drinking wine from golden cups under the glow of hanging red lanterns. The table is filled with ancient food dishes and pottery, while an elegant calligraphy scroll hangs in the background. A full moon shines brightly through the misty clouds above.

将进酒 - 李白

Bring in the Wine - Li Bai

An Exuberant Call to Embrace Life

君不见黄河之水天上来,
Can't you see the Yellow River's waters descending from the sky,


奔流到海不复回。
Rushing into the sea, never to return?


君不见高堂明镜悲白发,
Can't you see those lamenting white hair in bright mirrors of high halls,


朝如青丝暮成雪。
This morning's black tresses turn to snow by evening?


人生得意须尽欢,
When life grants success, we must revel to the fullest,


莫使金樽空对月。
Never leave a golden goblet empty against the moon.


天生我材必有用,
Heaven has given my talents for a purpose,


千金散尽还复来。
Though a thousand coins be spent, more will come again.


烹羊宰牛且为乐,
Cook the lamb, butcher the ox, let us make merry,


会须一饮三百杯。
We must down three hundred cups in one sitting.


岑夫子,丹丘生,
Master Cen, Danqiu my friend,


将进酒,杯莫停。
Bring in the wine—do not let our cups pause.


与君歌一曲,
I will sing you a tune,


请君为我倾耳听。
Please, lend your ears and listen.


钟鼓馔玉不足贵,
Bells, drums, and fine feasts hold no lasting worth,


但愿长醉不复醒。
I only long to stay drunk and never wake.


古来圣贤皆寂寞,
From ancient times, saints and sages were often lonely,


惟有饮者留其名。
Only the drinker leaves behind a name renowned.


陈王昔时宴平乐,
Lord Chen once feasted in Pingle,


斗酒十千恣欢谑。
Wagering ten thousand coins on wine in free merriment.


主人何为言少钱,
Why speak of having too little money, dear host?


径须沽取对君酌。
Go buy more wine so we may drink together.


五花马,千金裘,
Sell the five-flowered horse and the costly fur coat,


呼儿将出换美酒,
Call the servant to trade them for fine wine,


与尔同销万古愁。
And let us together dissolve the sorrow of ten thousand ages.

“Bring in the Wine” is among Li Bai’s most spirited and well-known poems, celebrating the fleeting quality of life and the importance of seizing every moment. The poem opens by invoking powerful images of the Yellow River flowing endlessly and hair turning white overnight, emphasizing the relentless passage of time. In response, Li Bai encourages indulging in pleasure, believing that life’s joyful moments must be savored before they vanish. This approach to living is not mere hedonism; rather, it reflects a philosophical stance that values emotional and creative freedom above the shackles of worldly concerns.

Throughout the verses, we see Li Bai’s characteristic exuberance: he insists on cooking lavish feasts, drinking countless cups of wine, and singing. He believes heaven has graced him with talent, so he should use it fully rather than worry about conventional measures of success or hoarding wealth. He also notes that saints and sages across history often led lonely lives, hinting that true fame and fulfillment might be found in the freedom of unrestrained enjoyment rather than the pursuit of sober virtue.

In essence, the poem calls us to embrace the present, share our revelries, and trust that what we expend will be replenished in due time. Against the haunting reality of mortality, Li Bai offers wine, music, and companionship as the antidotes to sorrow and isolation. By extolling both the grandeur and fragility of existence, “Bring in the Wine” continues to speak to anyone who wishes to transcend life’s limitations through art, connection, and delight—in short, to live fully in the face of impermanence.

Key points

1. Life’s transience underscores the importance of seizing the moment.
2. Earthly riches are less meaningful than experiences and creativity.
3. Companionship, wine, and music become antidotes to isolation.
4. Talent or fortune is best applied to enjoyment rather than hoarding.
5. Even in acknowledging sorrow, one can find liberation through celebration.

Comments
  • Electric Aura

    I appreciate how Li Bai blends nature’s grandeur with human revelry. You can almost see mountains, rivers, and giant wine vessels swirling in the same cosmic dance.

  • Mighty Green Lion

    I love how the poem’s rhythm feels like a toast echoing in a grand hall, with Li Bai leading the chorus in a spirited call to throw caution to the wind.

  • Neon Velocity

    He’s the kind of friend who’d show up unannounced, bottle in hand, shouting, “Stop brooding, let’s celebrate the moment!” And we all need that sometimes.

  • Sharp White Hawk

    It’s like a warning against letting time slip through your fingers. Even the greatest among us can’t buy more years, so raise your glass now.

  • Silent Rhythm

    He calls out to break the rules of caution. It’s not about reckless hedonism, but about refusing to let fear dictate your joys.

  • Infinite Cosmic Beat

    This poem demands engagement. It’s not something you can read passively; it’s a shout that makes you want to raise your own glass in response.

  • Electric Bear

    Every time I read “将进酒,” I’m reminded of those modern-day motivational speeches telling us to seize the day. Li Bai was onto this concept long before social media hashtags existed.

  • Vivid Dolphin

    It’s poetic adrenaline. Those lines energize me to chase my passions, reminding me that regrets come from failing to try.

  • Celestial Cyber Rhythm

    His words crackle like a fire at midnight, urging you to warm your spirit before it’s too late.

  • Urban Quantum Burst

    Compared to Du Fu’s more measured reflections on social issues, Li Bai’s “将进酒” is an unbridled shout to grasp life by the horns, ignoring tomorrow’s worries for a passionate today.

  • Digital Vortex

    It’s not merely about wine; it’s about cherishing friendships, experiences, and the wild spirit of youth. You sense Li Bai’s rebellious heart in every word.

  • Sharp Blue Hawk

    After a tough year filled with economic uncertainties, “将进酒” resonates more than ever. It reminds me that sometimes, the best way to cope is to appreciate what we have in the here and now.

  • GalactiCor

    The urgency is infectious. It’s like Li Bai is whispering, “Don’t let your heart grow stale—drink, sing, rejoice in this fleeting dance of existence.”

  • Atomic Eagle

    If I had one chance to quote a poem at a party, “将进酒” would be it, for its thrilling endorsement of immediate celebration.

  • Lunar Eagle

    Some lines remind me of modern times, where everyone’s chasing the next big thing. In that sense, Li Bai’s call to savor the moment is more relevant than ever—no matter how busy we get, we shouldn’t forget to celebrate life.

  • HydraVenom

    Whenever life feels dull, I revisit “将进酒” and sense Li Bai shaking me by the shoulders, reminding me there’s a world to be tasted.

  • Digital Quantum Flow

    When he writes about the moon and gold cups, you can feel the grandeur of a lavish banquet, but also a deep yearning beneath the festivity. It’s not just about wine; it’s about living fully while we can.

  • Dark Phoenix

    Compared to Li Bai’s “宣州谢朓楼饯别校书叔云,” which has moments of melancholy, “将进酒” is like a blazing torch, illuminating the darkness with gusto.

  • Wild White Tiger

    He’s not blind to sorrow. Rather, he acknowledges that sorrow is inevitable, so we should grab whatever joy we can. It’s a philosophy that rings true for all ages.

  • Quantum Nova

    The poem brims with images of overflowing cups, gold coins, and swiftly passing time—each symbol reminding us to embrace the fleeting joys while we can.

  • Fierce Jade Cow Pit

    Though centuries old, the poem’s rebellious streak speaks directly to the modern soul that feels trapped by routines, urging it to break free, even momentarily.

  • MysticForc

    The poem feels like an anthem for those who refuse to let their dreams die quietly. Instead, Li Bai challenges us to overflow with passion and daring.

  • GalactiCor

    Reading it, I hear a distant revel that invites everyone to drop their burdens and join in the laughter, even if just for a moment.

  • Mystic Knight

    What stands out is the contrast between wealth and the ephemeral nature of life. You sense a challenge: let’s not hoard our treasures, let’s share them, spill them if we must, but let’s truly live.

  • Bold Blue Dog Pit

    If there’s a better poem about living in the present, I haven’t found it. Every line is a triumph of carpe diem.

  • Grim Badger

    There’s such a fierce energy in every line. It’s as though Li Bai is urging us to break free from all constraints—material or emotional—and just embrace the thrill of existence.

  • Cosmic Falcon

    The dramatic flow from line to line feels like a roaring river, carrying you toward the inevitable conclusion that life is too short for half-hearted measures.

  • Silent Falcon

    Though it’s about pouring wine and indulging, there’s an underlying message about time slipping away. That tension between revelry and existential awareness is what makes “将进酒” so timeless.

  • Azure Flame

    Li Bai’s cry to seize the moment never grows old, even centuries later.

  • Electric Hawk

    It’s fascinating how a poet from the Tang Dynasty can make me want to dance and toast in the 21st century.

  • Solar Radiance

    His voice is so commanding, it’s almost like he’s pulling you into the feast, thrusting a cup in your hand, and saying, “Drink with me now, or regret it forever!”

  • Brave Red Cat Den

    That sense of wild abandon? It’s as if Li Bai’s words have a pulse, telling us that a life without bold joy is only half-lived.

  • Luminous Digital Spark

    I read this poem again after a tough week at work, and it reminded me to pause the stress and appreciate the good things around me. Sometimes you just need that jolt of perspective.

  • Epic Digital Spectrum

    The fervor of ‘将进酒’ contrasts well with Li Bai’s more serene verses like “静夜思,” demonstrating his wide emotional range as a poet.

  • Electric Tiger

    So many lines here highlight the futility of hoarding riches. Li Bai suggests that money and status won’t matter if you never tasted happiness.

  • Dark Wolf

    When he exclaims, “人生得意须尽欢,” I feel the urgency ripple through me—an electric command to celebrate every sweet drop of life while it lasts.

  • Calm Red Bee Den

    This piece is an explosion of sound, color, and emotion. You can sense the drums, the chatter, the laughter—it’s all there in the lines.

  • SolarKnigh

    I love the intensity. Li Bai’s refusal to let financial constraints or societal norms cage his spirit rings true in any era.

  • Wild Blue Dog Cave

    We often talk about ‘living our best life.’ Li Bai sums it up best: fill the cup to the brim, forget tomorrow’s gloom, and cherish the present revelry.

  • Aurora Digital Wave

    Short but resonant: “将进酒” always leaves me feeling like I should host a grand party for all my friends and celebrate just being alive.

  • Swift Black Eagle

    Whenever I re-read it, I’m struck by the reminder that time flows relentlessly. We can’t dam its current, but we can savor the rush before it sweeps away our moments.

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