Chinese Mountain Man
Who goes there, wandering,
Through the mist and the rain?
Among the alpine crests
And mountains’ crystal streams?
A Chinese mountain man
Treks up the steep defiles.
And with him follows close
His pupil short of breath.
They walk among the wraith-like trees
Which rise from every crag.
The rustling of the world
Is soundless at such heights.
They climb the lofty peaks,
Tread worlds above the clouds.
“Peasant and sage alike
Climb mountains such as these,”
Declared the mountain man,
Then walked into the mist.
His pupil followed close
Behind, without a word.
The rustling of the world
Is soundless at such heights.
They climb the lofty peaks,
Tread worlds above the clouds.
David is a translator, poet and linguist based in Montreal. He is the founder of The Chained Muse online poetry journal. The journal was founded to promote and publish new modern works which strive for that timeless quality of classical beauty.
