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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


THE POEMS OF COLD MOUNTAIN: 240 by HAN SHAN

First Line: I HAVE SIX BROTHERS
Last Line: EVERYBODY PRAISES
Subject(s): BROTHERS; CHINESE LITERATURE; FAMILY LIFE; PUNISHMENT; SHAME; HALF-BROTHERS; RELATIVES;

I have six brothers
and one of them is bad
I'd beat him if I could
I'd scold him but I can't
wherever he goes he's useless
all he wants is wealth and sex
one look and he's in love
his lechery shames rakshasas
our father hates to see him
our mother isn't pleased
finally I caught him
and cursed and beat him hard
and took him to a deserted place
and told him to his face
@3you have to change your ways
a toppled cart must change its track
if you don't believe this
we'll destroy each other
if you accept my training
we'll survive somehow@1
we've been friends ever since
better than bodhisattvas
who learns how to make metal
refines three mountains of ore
meanwhile harmony
everybody praises



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