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Feb. 6th, 2005 11:46 am![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
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greatpoetryWritten on the Wall at West Forest Temple (1084)
From the side, a whole range; from the end, a single peak;
far, near, high, low, no two parts alike.
Why can't I tell the true shape of Lu-shan?
Because I myself am in the mountain.
--Su Tung-P'o (aka Su Shih, 1037-1101), trans. Burton Watson.
The poet had been an official working in the provinces of China, but was exiled on charges of slandering the emperor. When the party was overthrown, he was allowed to return and work again, and this was written on his return journey, through a famously beautiful place.
From the side, a whole range; from the end, a single peak;
far, near, high, low, no two parts alike.
Why can't I tell the true shape of Lu-shan?
Because I myself am in the mountain.
--Su Tung-P'o (aka Su Shih, 1037-1101), trans. Burton Watson.
The poet had been an official working in the provinces of China, but was exiled on charges of slandering the emperor. When the party was overthrown, he was allowed to return and work again, and this was written on his return journey, through a famously beautiful place.
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