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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


THE POEMS OF PICKUP: 9 by HAN SHAN

First Line: WORLDLY PEOPLE MAKE ME SIGH
Last Line: WEARING A NEW SET OF CLOTHES
Subject(s): BUDDHISM; CHINESE LITERATURE; FOOD & EATING; BUDDHA; BUDDHISTS;

Worldly people make me sigh
everyone craves meat
their plates and bowls are never dry
they always ask for more
they give a meatless feast one day
then kill pigs and sheep the next
they're led by their karma
never by their hearts
for every deed they do for Heaven
they do a hundred more for Hell
their whole family mourns
when Yama takes them away
and heats them in an oven
and washes them in a cauldron
until at last they emerge
wearing a new set of clothes



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