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83 reviews
July 14,2025
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July 14,2025
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A beautiful collection of poems is truly a treasure. It has the power to touch our hearts and souls, taking us on a journey through different emotions and experiences. One particular collection that stands out is the translation of Cold Mountain. The words in this translation seem to come alive, painting vivid pictures in our minds. Each poem is like a precious gem, shining with its own unique light. The translator has done an excellent job of capturing the essence of the original poems and presenting them in a way that is accessible and engaging to a wider audience. Whether you are a poetry lover or just someone who enjoys beautiful language, this collection of poems is definitely worth exploring. You will be amazed by the beauty and depth of the words, and you will find yourself coming back to it again and again.

July 14,2025
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Snyder's first collection of poetry is truly beautiful and yet, in a strange way, irreverent. It might just be the beginnings of environmental poetry.

As obnoxious as it may sound, I had expected a bit more from the Cold Mountain poems. However, they were still gorgeous in their own unique way. The Zen Buddhism that is directly associated with these poems is very much in your face, but I actually like it that way.

This is the kind of collection that should not be filed away and forgotten about. Instead, it should be kept out for occasional reading. It is essential reading that offers a unique perspective and a beautiful exploration of nature and the human spirit.

Overall, Snyder's first collection of poetry is a must-read for anyone interested in poetry, environmentalism, or Zen Buddhism. It is a work that will stay with you and continue to inspire you long after you have finished reading it.
July 14,2025
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My favorite selection from this slim volume is as follows:

6

Men ask the way to Cold Mountain.

Cold Mountain: there's no through trail.

In summer, ice doesn't melt.

The rising sun blurs in swirling fog.

How did I make it?

My heart's not the same as yours.

If your heart was like mine.

You'd get it and be right here.

Although the work here didn't have the profound impact on me that I had anticipated, I still relished the clean and spare essence of Snyder's words. I firmly believe that he accomplished what he was striving for, which is a traditional modernism deeply rooted in both the rugged grandeur of the Sierras and the rich Chinese/Japanese literary traditions that he was exposed to during his time working there.

Perhaps this may not be the most ideal introduction to Snyder, but it is indeed a pleasant and at times, a powerfully engaging read.

July 14,2025
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Gary Snyder is a renowned poet, and his works such as RipRap and the Cold Mountain poems are widely known and cherished.

For many years, I have been an avid reader of these poems, finding great inspiration and beauty within their lines.

However, it was through Audible that I discovered a new and exciting way to experience Gary Snyder's poetry. I was able to obtain an edition where he himself reads the poems.

Listening to and rehearing these great poems has truly been a transformative experience. It allows you to establish a deeper connection with the writer, to hear the nuances of his voice, and to feel the emotions he intended to convey.

I cannot recommend this new method highly enough. It offers a unique and immersive way to engage with Gary Snyder's poetry, and I encourage you to consider giving it a try.

Whether you are a long-time fan of Gary Snyder or new to his work, this audio edition is sure to enhance your appreciation and understanding of his poetry.
July 14,2025
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I really enjoyed these poems.

They were not only easy to understand but also quite deep.

The simplicity of the language made it accessible to a wide range of readers, yet the underlying meanings and emotions were profound.

Each poem seemed to tell a story or convey a message that could resonate with the reader on a personal level.

Some of the poems made me think about life, love, and the human condition in a new way.

Others simply brought a smile to my face or a tear to my eye.

I was truly impressed by the talent and creativity of the poets.

Their ability to use words to create beautiful and meaningful works of art is truly remarkable.

I would highly recommend these poems to anyone who enjoys reading poetry or wants to explore the power of words.

They are sure to touch your heart and leave a lasting impression.

July 14,2025
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One of my favorite poet authors is Allen Ginsberg.

He is a significant figure of the Beat generation, which was a literary and social movement that emerged in the 1950s. Ginsberg, along with other contemporaries like Jack Kerouac and William S. Burroughs, challenged the norms and conventions of society through their writing.

Ginsberg's poetry is known for its raw and passionate expression of emotions, as well as its exploration of themes such as sexuality, spirituality, and social injustice. His most famous work, "Howl," is a powerful and controversial poem that captured the essence of the Beat generation and had a profound impact on American literature and culture.

Ginsberg's influence can still be felt today, and his poetry continues to inspire new generations of writers and thinkers.
July 14,2025
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Piute Creek

One granite ridge stands tall and proud. A single tree would have been sufficient to add a touch of life to this desolate scene. Or perhaps even a rock, a small creek meandering its way, or a bark shred floating in a pool.

Hill after hill, folded and twisted, as if in a never-ending embrace. Tough trees are crammed into the thin fractures of the stone, defying the odds and the harsh environment.

A huge moon looms over it all, almost too much to bear. The mind begins to wander, imagining a million summers gone by. The night air is still, and the rocks retain the warmth of the day. The sky stretches over the endless mountains, a vast expanse of mystery.

All the junk that comes with being human gradually drops away. The hard rock seems to waver, and even the heavy present appears to fail, like a bubble in this fragile heart.

Words and books, once so important, now seem like a small creek flowing off a high ledge, disappearing into the dry air.

A clear, attentive mind has no other meaning but to truly see what is in front of it. No one loves the rock, yet here we are.

The night chills set in, and a flicker in the moonlight slips into the shadow of the juniper. Back there, unseen, the cold, proud eyes of a cougar or a coyote watch as I rise and go.

July 14,2025
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"Grope and stutter for the words, invent a tune,

In any tongue, this moment one time true

Be wine or blood or rhythm drives it through--

A leap of words to things and there it stops." (p. 24 from "A Stone Garden")

(I don't have much of a poetry background, so pardon me if this skews toward layman review.)

Some of these poems seem to be overly bogged down in the sensory details. Snyder at times endeavors to create pieces that point somewhat vaguely towards certain things. "In some of the riprap poems, then, I did try for surface simplicity set with unsettling depths" (p. 67). Sometimes this approach pays off magnificently, as in the astonishing "A Stone Garden." However, other poems merely seem like a list of the things that he is observing, lacking much in the way of justification or a satisfying payoff. But when it does work, it feels truly profound. It's as if Snyder is on a journey of exploration, sometimes finding the perfect combination of words and images to convey a deep and meaningful message, while at other times perhaps getting a bit lost in the process. Nevertheless, his attempts are值得欣赏 and offer a unique perspective on the world around us.
July 14,2025
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Much less meaningful than Turtle Island.

The \\"Riprap\\" half of the book, which was written when the young poet worked as a logger and did trail maintenance at Yosemite National Park, was indeed good, just as it was advertised.

However, the \\"Cold Mountain Poems\\" second half, which consists of translations of centuries-old Chinese Zen poems, unfortunately left me completely unmoved.

Perhaps it was due to a lack of personal connection or an inability to fully appreciate the cultural and historical context of those ancient poems.

Nonetheless, it is important to note that everyone's perception and response to literature can vary greatly.

While the \\"Riprap\\" section may have been a highlight for some, the \\"Cold Mountain Poems\\" failed to resonate with me on a deeper level.

Overall, this book presented a mixed bag of experiences, with one part impressing and the other leaving me somewhat disappointed.
July 14,2025
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Snyder speaks of poems that possess "minimal surface texture, with complexities lurking at the bottom of the pool, beneath the bank, a dark and old presence, lacking any fancy flavor."

I have discovered that his most powerful poems emerged when he delved into the theme of the sea. There was something about the confinement of ships that seemed to suit him slightly better than the freedom of the mountains. In the mountains, it appeared to me that he struggled for words. However, this might have been due to my need to become accustomed to his inclination to use words like paint.

I truly desired for this small book to come alive with the Cold Mountain poems. But after the incomprehensible preface, it failed to do so.


...such a trifling move
& such spectacular results
now I have to paint the wall again
& salvage only from it all a poem
(Goofing Again p.58)
July 14,2025
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I haven't reread this in forever,

yet it remains so perfect.

The combination of "Bucking hay" and "Hanshan" creates a unique and captivating image.

It's as if these two elements, when brought together, form a world of their own.

The act of bucking hay implies hard work and labor, perhaps in a rural setting.

And Hanshan, a name that might evoke a sense of mystery or tranquility.

Together, they paint a picture that is both vivid and thought-provoking.

It makes me wonder what the author intended by pairing these two words.

Maybe it's a contrast between the physical and the spiritual, or between the mundane and the extraordinary.

Whatever the meaning, it's clear that this simple phrase has a powerful impact.

Rereading it now, I am once again struck by its beauty and depth.

It's a reminder that sometimes, the simplest things can be the most profound.
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