Anciet Chinese Poem Sings of Today's Feelings

So, in my quest for a relationship, these words struck me deeply. The lament of a forgotten love?

但願人長久

明月幾時有 把酒問青天
不知天上宮闕 今夕是何年
我欲乘風歸去 唯恐瓊樓玉宇 高處不勝寒
起舞弄清影 何似在人間

轉朱閣 低綺戶 照無眠
不應有恨 何事長向別時圓
人有悲歡離合 月有陰晴圓缺
此事古難全 但願人長久 千里共嬋娟

There are many translations for what the poet originally intended -- even in the Chinese version. To translate to English is a whole different story -- many subtleties are lost in translation. The title of the poem according to my translation means may we (or may our relationship) lasts forever. What I really like about this poem is the analogy that is drawn between the moon and human relationships -- the moon wax and wane as do people come and go -- nothing last forever. Also, the poet asks the speaks of how the Moon can be so full and round when love ones are far apart. Such irony.

If the poem is to be translated as a whole, it would be that the poet is lamenting the distance separating him from his loved ones; however, the fact that they could both be looking at the same bright moon brings them closer together (kinda like that animated music video for Somewhere Out There). The loved one in this case is his brother but you can adapt it to whoever you're missing at the time. That's just how I feel so don't kill me if other people disagree with you.

There are some really beautiful imagery presented in the poem as well -- In a red pavilion, through a low wooden window with beautiful carvings, the moon shines on a solitary person that is having trouble sleeping.

I raise my cup to toast the moon and ask, "When if the next full moon?"

Beautiful -- and always brings a tear to my eyes.