Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


THE POEMS OF COLD MOUNTAIN: 120 by HAN SHAN

First Line: A FREQUENT GUEST OF HUNGER AND COLD
Last Line: ALONG WITH FIVE PINTS OF CHAFF
Subject(s): CHINESE LITERATURE; POVERTY;

A frequent guest of hunger and cold
born to be different from fishes and beasts
stays alive in the shade of a mill
and cries by the side of the road
for days he imagines food in vain
in winter he knows no coat
all he carries is a bundle of straw
along with five pints of chaff



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