Li Po, where did you go?
Did you become one with the Tao
or are you in some celestial, jade heaven
where dragons frolic, orioles still sing,
and beautiful maidens play the guzheng?
In case this poem somehow reaches you
through the ether, I’m a fan of your work
and would like to meet you in the afterlife.
Maybe you could be my mentor there,
if you were so inclined or had the time
and teach me how to write great poems
like you do –
or, at least, give me some tips
on writing even better poems
than I do in this ever fading life.
And, as for writing poems,
I hope wherever you are,
that is something you still do.
Respectfully,
A Fan in the West,
Bob Boyd