Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE POEMS OF COLD MOUNTAIN: 168, by HAN SHAN


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE POEMS OF COLD MOUNTAIN: 168, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: One day I left the mountains
Last Line: Men don't ever get free
Alternate Author Name(s): Kanzan; Hanshan; Han-shan
Subject(s): Aging; Beauty; Chinese Literature; Men; Women


One day I left the mountains
and entered the city gate
and saw a group of girls
their noble and lovely faces
with flowered hairdos of Shu
rouge from Yen powder and oil
golden bracelets chased with silver
sheerest silks of red and purple
their rose-colored cheeks were like an immortal's
their perfume trailed in clouds
the men all turned to look
infatuation darkened their minds
thinking the world had no equals
their hearts and shadows followed behind
dogs gnawing on dry bones
licking their teeth and lips in vain
not knowing how to reflect
how were they different from beasts
and now the girls are white-haired crones
old mean and ghostly
it's always due to their dog hearts
men don't ever get free





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