Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


THE POEMS OF PICKUP: 39 by HAN SHAN

First Line: A YOUNG MAN STUDIED LETTERS AND ARMS
Last Line: AND MONKEYS RIDE CLAY OXEN
Subject(s): CHINESE LITERATURE; DISAPPOINTMENT; SCHOLARSHIP & SCHOLARS;

A young man studied letters and arms
and rode off to the capital
where he learned the Huns had been vanquished
and all he could do was wait
so to kingfisher cliffs he retired
and sits in the grass by a stream
while valiant men chase red cords
and monkeys ride clay oxen



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