Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


THE POEMS OF COLD MOUNTAIN: 238 by HAN SHAN

First Line: WE HEAR ABOUT THE MINISTERS OF STATE
Last Line: AND ALL BECAUSE OF IGNORANCE
Subject(s): CHINESE LITERATURE; GOVERNMENT; IGNORANCE; PUNISHMENT; WEALTH; DULLNESS; STUPDITY; RICHES; FORTUNES;

We hear about the ministers of state
their red and purple ornaments of rank
their limitless wealth and countless honors
their quest for glory their resistance to shame
their courtyards of slaves and stables of horses
their vaults full of silver and gold
but a fool's paradise is brief consolation
for someone who blindly builds his own hell
he suddenly dies and all plans stop
sons and daughters gather to cry
unaware of approaching disaster
what was his headlong hurry
his family is ruined and scattered
without any food to eat
cold and hungry and wretched
and all because of ignorance



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