Born in the middle of the Tang Dynasty in 701, Li Bai (or: Li Po) was one of the most prominent writers of his time in China, developing poetic art and producing about 1000 poems in his life time. He and fellow poet Du Fu were responsible for a golden time in Chinese writing, exploring relationships, the natural world, as well as the pleasures of wine.

Li Po was born in Central Asia and moved to Sichuan province when he was five years old. He was an avid reader, devouring the popular Confucian works of the time, and a skilled swordsman by the time he reached his twenties. He is said to have taken part in many duels in his youth and was considered a master in martial arts.

In his mid-twenties, he decided to leave Szechuan and became something of a wanderer, getting married at some point, meeting various well-known Chinese personalities and giving away a good part of his family wealth. Throughout his time traveling he would write verses and poems about his life, notable for its conversational style and unusual perception of the world around him.

Links:

• Wikipedia on Li Bai

• Poem Collection