This poem is the most famous Mid-Autumn Festival poem. The author wrote it for his brother, whom he missed dearly after not having seen him for seven years. There are two sentences in the poem that are often quoted by people now. 人有悲欢离合, 月有阴晴圆缺, 此事古难全. (Rén yǒu bēihuānlíhé, yuè yǒu yīnqíngyuánquē, cǐshì gǔ nán quán.) has a philosophical connotation. It tells people that not everything is perfect, and we should learn to endure ordeals. 但愿人长久, 千里共婵娟. (Dànyuàn rén chángjiǔ, qiānlǐ gòng chánjuān.) is a famous sentence of blessing during a time of reunion. It expresses blessings of health and relationships to others. It is one of the many poems of the Song Dynasty that has also been made into beautiful songs.

Listen to the Tune

明月几时有，把酒问青天。    
Míngyuè jǐshí yǒu, bǎjiǔ wèn qīngtiān.
How long until the full moon appears? Wine cup in hand, I ask the sky.
不知天上宫阙，今夕是何年？    
Bù zhī tiānshàng gōngquè, jīnxī shì hénián?
I do not know what time of year. It could be tonight in the palace on high.
我欲乘风归去，惟恐琼楼玉宇，高处不胜寒。    
Wǒ yù chéngfēng guīqù, wéikǒng qiónglóuyùyǔ, gāochù bú shèng hán.
Riding the wind, there I would fly, yet I'm afraid the crystalline palace would be too high and cold for me.
起舞弄清影，何似在人间！    
Qǐwǔ nòng qīngyǐng, hé sì zài rénjiān!
I rise and dance, with my shadow I play. It is like on the earth!
转朱阁，低绮户，照无眠。    
Zhuǎn zhūgé, dī qǐhù, zhào wúmián.
The moon goes round the red mansions through gauze-draped windows, soft to shed
her light upon the sleepless bed.
不应有恨，何事长向别时圆？    
Bù yīng yǒu hèn, héshì cháng xiàng bié shí yuán?
Why then when people are apart, is the moon oft full and bright?
人有悲欢离合，月有阴晴圆缺，此事古难全。    
Rén yǒu bēihuānlíhé, yuè yǒu yīnqíngyuánquē, cǐshì gǔ nán quán.
People have sorrow and joy, they separate or meet again; the moon is bright or dim and the moon may wax or wane. There has not been anything perfect since the olden days.
但愿人长久，千里共婵娟。    
Dànyuàn rén chángjiǔ, qiānlǐ gòng chánjuān.
So let us wish that people live as long as they can! Though miles apart, we'll share the beauty they display.

生词(shēngcí) Vocabulary:    
几时(jǐshí): adv when    
把酒(bǎjiǔ): v to hold a glass of liquor    
不胜(búshèng): v cannot stand or bear    
弄(nòng): v to play and enjoy    
朱(zhū): adj red    
婵娟(chánjuān): n the beautiful things