To my retired friend (after Du Fu)
As usual, Du Fu understands the pleasure of a meal with an old friend (although there is more drinking in the original, and also 'spring chives cut in night rain').
To my retired friend after Du Fu It has been so long since we last met. Today is a rare event, eating mezze and telling stories about our youth, as though it was only last week. How can our teacher be so old? In my mind’s eye she is still slender and charming, teaching us how to speak in elegant French, with elisions. And now the young stand up to offer us their seat. What is it they can see? Tomorrow I will be gone again. Raise your glass, drink to being young and beautiful, oblivious to both.