Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE POEMS OF COLD MOUNTAIN: 198 by HAN SHAN

First Line: I SAW SOME TREES BY THE RIVER
Last Line: WHY BLAME HEAVEN AND EARTH
Subject(s): CHINESE LITERATURE; TREES;
I saw some trees by the river
more weathered than I can describe
a couple of trunks remained
with thousands of ax-blade scars
their dry yellow leaves had been stripped by the frost
their rotten roots battered by waves
but this is how habitats are
why blame Heaven and Earth



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