Reviews

Cold Mountain: One Hundred Poems by the t'Ang Poet Han-Shan by

peter_stanton's review

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5.0

One of the best collections of poetry I have come across, and one of the best volumes to understand the admixture of Chinese taoism and buddhism in the Tang era. Cold Mountain's words are simple and approachable, yet he teaches nuanced lessons about the way and the structure of our experience in the world. Amazing book

ibbys's review

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20.
As long as I was living in the village
They said I was the finest man around,
But yesterday I went to the city
And even the dogs eyed me askance.
Some people jeered at my skimpy trousers,
Others said my jacket was too long.
If someone would poke out the eyes of the hawks
We sparrows could dance wherever we please!

21.
When I see a fellow abusing others,
I think of a man with a basketful of water.
As fast as he can, he runs with it home,
But when he gets there, what's left in the basket?
When I see a man being abused by others,
I think of the leek growing in the garden.
Day after day men pull off the leaves,
But the heart it was born with stays the same.
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