Cold Mountain

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Cold Mountain is the popular name of the famous Chinese poet, Hanshan whose history is a bit elusive, but lived long, long ago in a place far, far away…from me, anyway. I’m interested in the thought that his poems were written on rocks, evidently pen and paper not be available, or perhaps not invented yet. In any case, beauty must find a way to be expressed from within its creator. I like this verse, as it speaks to the vanity, even selfishness, of too much solitude, of not allowing your voice to be heard. (Yet another reason I appreciate WordPress…)

If you’re still and never speak

what will posterity have to relate

if you hide in the woods and swamps

how will your wisdom reveal itself

withering isn’t healthy

wind and frost bring early ills

a clay ox plowing a rocky field

will never see a harvest day

From: The Collected Songs of Cold Mountain

Copper Canyon Press

Author: dawnlizjones

Tends toward TMI, so here's the short list: guitar and banjo (both of which have been much neglected as of late), bicycling (ibid), dogs, very black tea, and contemplating and commenting on deep philosophical thoughts about which I have had no academic or professional training. Oh, also reading, writing, but I shy away from arithmetic. View all posts by dawnlizjones

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