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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


THE POEMS OF COLD MOUNTAIN: 260 by HAN SHAN

First Line: IMAGINE A KING-OF-THE-WHEEL
Last Line: YOU'LL WASTE THESE HUMAN YEARS
Subject(s): BUDDHISM; CHINESE LITERATURE; REINCARNATION; WEALTH; BUDDHA; BUDDHISTS; TRANSMIGRATION; PRETAS; RICHES; FORTUNES;

Imagine a king-of-the-wheel
surrounded by a thousand sons
transforming the realm with good deeds
adorned by the seven jewels
the seven jewels wherever he goes
adorned by every wonder
until one day his blessings run out
like a bird that nests in the rushes
or a bug on an ox's neck
any of the Six Paths of Karma
how much less can common people
keep what doesn't last
life and death are a whirling torch
rebirths as countless as hemp seeds
unless you wake up soon
you'll waste these human years



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