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My favorite Li Po


  • Kevin
    Oct 20 5:15 PM 2008
    Reply
    THE BIRDS HAVE VANISHED

    The birds have vanished into the sky,
    and now the last cloud drains away.

    We sit together, the mountain and me,
    until only the mountain remains.





    Li Po, translated by Sam Hammil

  • cvillelisa
    October 22, 2008 ↑
    Reply


    Why is this your favorite? Curious.

  • NurseChilly
    October 24, 2008 ↑
    Reply
    I wonder, what is the mountain? - is it his spirit, is it god or a greater being??
    curious too

    and yes... why is it your favourite???

    • cvillelisa
      October 24, 2008 ↑
      Reply



      The Mountain -- is often a metaphor for life in Chinese poetry - or a life everlasting. South Mountain is often used as a "place" people go at the end of their life. Many of the Chinese poets traveled to the mountains at the end of ther lives to die. But the Mountain is big and strong and remains.

      So yes, in essence the Chinese poets of old often did identify the Mountain with the Spirit.





  • loafy
    January 26 ↑
    Reply
    Hmmm, short and awesome!

  • atticus snow
    June 19 ↑
    Reply
    Humble sentiment. I love how the eastern poets managed to grasp the mundane aspects of life and reveal the simple beauty within.
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