DRINKING ALONE WITH THE MOON
From a pot of wine among the flowers
I drank alone. There was no one with me-
Till, raising my cup, I asked the bright moon
To bring me my shadow and make us three.
Alas, the moon was unable to drink
And my shadow tagged me vacantly;
But still for a while I had these friends
To cheer me through the end of spring....
I sang. The moon encouraged me.
I danced. My shadow tumbled after.
As long as I knew, we were boon companions.
And then I was drunk, and we lost one another.
...Shall goodwill ever be secure?
I watched the long road of the River of Stars.

-Li Po, translated by Witter Bynner

Berklee’s poetry trail was laid in October 2003 along Edison Street between Shattuck and Milvia Streets. The route includes 128 metal plates with excerpts from songs, each of which is related in one way or another to the city of Berkeley.

The plaque features a poem by the Chinese poet who lived in the eighth century AD, and is considered one of the greatest poets - Li Bai (Li Po). The poem was translated by the American poet Witter Bynner who taught for a short period at the University of Berkeley.