Thursday, August 18, 2016

Son Mountain 11: A Cold Mountain Transcreation

I came to sit on Cold Mountain
and stayed for thirty years—
yesterday I looked back on friends and relatives
but more than half had dropped to Yellow Springs,
slowly vanishing as fire burns a candle,
passing as a river always flowing.
This morning as I face my solitary shadow
quickly tears are running in two streams.

(from the translations of RP-53, RH-49, BW-85, GS-10)

Son Mountain 10: A Cold Mountain Transcreation

Since I disappeared to Cold Mountain
I’ve lived off its fruits and berries—
what worry is there in a life
abiding in the elements of cause,
days and months flowing like a stream,
time sparking off of rocks.
The world can change with heaven and earth
but I’m content to sit within these cliffs.


(from the translations of RP-169, RH-170, GS-17)

Son Mountain 9: A Cold Mountain Transcreation

When someone sees Cold Mountain
all declare he’s wild and crazy—
his face isn’t much to look at,
his body is wrapped in rags and fur,
they don’t understand his words
and he doesn’t speak their words.
His reply to all these passersby:
come and gaze on Cold Mountain.


(from the translations of RP-218, RH-220, GS-24, BW-57)

Son Mountain 8: A Cold Mountain Transcreation

When looking for a place to dwell
Cold Mountain gives enduring shelter—
light winds blow through hidden pines
and closer it sounds better,
beneath them is a silver-haired presence
murmuring immortal words.
It’s been ten years since I’ve returned
forgetting the way I arrived.


(from the translations of RP-4, RH-20, GS-5, BW-50)

Wednesday, August 17, 2016

Son Mountain 7: A Cold Mountain Transcreation

People ask the way to Cold Mountain
but Cold Mountain isn’t attainable by road—
in summer the ice never melts,
when the sun’s out, it’s hidden by fog.
How did one like myself get here, you ask?
Maybe my heart and yours aren’t the same.
If your heart were the same as mine
you’d already be here inside.

(from the translations of RP-16, RH-226, BW-82, GS-6)



Son Mountain 6: A Cold Mountain Transcreation

I enjoy this space of natural awareness
amid the mist and vines and dark caves—
its wilderness is limitless
with clouds as easy friends
and roads that never reach the world
in mindlessness no one may reason away.
At night I sit alone on bedrock
until the moon ascends Cold Mountain.

(from the translations of RP-224, RH-226, BW-49, AT-27)

Son Mountain 5: A Cold Mountain Transcreation

Fantastic, this passage to Cold Mountain
with not a sign of horse or cart—
one stream after another who can remember,
peak upon peak going who knows how high,
a thousand seedlings bent with dew,
tall pines sighing in the same wind.
Now that I’ve gone off trail,
form is asking shadow for the way.

(from the translations of RP-3, RH-3, GS1, BW-48)