Books by the old Leather Chair

  • Snow In The Summer
  • My Bible
  • The Power of Silence
  • What Comes Next and to Like It
  • Encore Provence
  • A Year in Provence

Sunday, September 28, 2014

Chinese Poetry

Always one who loved books and enjoys reading.

But never in my lifetime
until recently
did I read Chinese poetry.
If anyone had mentioned it to me
I would have replied
"not interested."
Never in anyway have I related to Chinese culture.

What has happened over the last 6 years
is
I find such peace reading and can relate
to much these poems share.

They share of  those who want
a simpler lifestyle.
This one started on this journey years ago

A journey I began and still on that journey
and most likely will never arrive.
Seems I started with a lot baggage, emotional
 and things
from other lifestyles.

These poems share of those who go into
the isolated beautiful mountains and live so simply.

Over a number of weeks, in the evening I pick up
a new book I recently ordered
"The Mountain Poems of Stonehouse"  translation by Red Pine.


Page after page is underlined and when I read of their simple lifestyles
it seems in my heart I relate and it is like a blanket of peace has dropped over me.

I thank my son for introducing me to this type of poetry.  Years ago and now
he sometimes sends his mama a special poem and I would look up to see where
it came from. Sometime I would find it among his collection of Chinese poetry books.
  I began to go through his books here in this cottage 5 years ago
"he has quite a library"   and discovered many Chinese Poetry books.
Reading them always has been enjoyable to me.

Also, this would never have happened if my son had not moved part of the year
to Thailand, writes me weekly such incredible emails that encourage me
as I continue to learn at this late stage of life
Also his belongings are in this cottage in his room.

Over the last years I have ordered some of the books for my own library  but included in the
stacks of favorite books by my reading chair are many of his books.

In these last years
there have been so many
surprises.
One of them acquiring a computer in my 70's,
writing a journal and that I am drawn too
Chinese Poetry....

"Advancing or retiring grasping or letting go
people all have their own ways
Heaven and Earth let me be lazy
profit and fame put others to work
gulls sleep on piers with their backs to the sun
swallows build nests above house beams
misled by passion distracted by things
they remain unaware of the Master of Emptiness"

and I wish for this :)

"Now that I am old nothing disturbs me
I'm asleep on my cot before the sun sets
dreaming and wondering who I am
until the new moon lights the peach blossoms

After meditation I chant a Cold Mountain Poem
after dinner I brew grain-rain tea
and when some feeling lingers I can't express
I take a basket across the ridge and gather vine flowers"

8 comments:

FlowerLady Lorraine said...

This was a lovely and encouraging post dear Ernestine.

I am touched by this that you wrote ~ "when I read of their simple lifestyles
it seems in my heart I relate and it is like a blanket of peace has dropped over me."

I liked the last poem you shared too and the last line "when some feeling lingers I can't express
I take a basket across the ridge and gather vine flowers"

DH and I always lived a slower, different lifestyle than our contemporaries, something most of them did/do not understand.

I am still learning ways to live in contentment, especially now without him by my side.

You inspire me ~ Love & Hugs ~ FlowerLady

One Woman's Journey - a journal being written from Woodhaven - her cottage in the woods. said...

Lorene, your comment is so special. I know you miss your DH
and you are so fortunate to have had him in your life for the time you did. There is so much I do not share and still struggle with
but God is so good and I continue each day and learn to let go.

Balisha said...

I love reading too. Just ordered a couple... used from Amazon. One is Chasing Francis...a book that I borrowed from the library and then decided I'd like it in my collection. I love to follow the "seasons" in our Church. Advent is coming and I need to find a book to read during that time. I love books that are "daily" reads.

Your poetry is beautiful this morning. I can imagine the simple calm that comes to you when you read some of these Chinese poems. Isn't it wonderful that at this time of our lives we have the time to enjoy poetry? It is so calming.
Have a nice day today,
Balisha









One Woman's Journey - a journal being written from Woodhaven - her cottage in the woods. said...

Balisha, I buy most of my books second hand and if I do not like it can donate to library.
Oh yes, on reading as with big family and working there was not time to read..

Wisewebwoman said...

My mind opens up as I age and the world of books expands to meet the lovely fresh work-free times I have. Never time before with such burdens and busies.

XO
WWW

One Woman's Journey - a journal being written from Woodhaven - her cottage in the woods. said...

WWW, as always we are on the same page. For years
no time to read.

thewiildmagnola said...

how glorious is this late life. how very wonderful you share it.

❤️

One Woman's Journey - a journal being written from Woodhaven - her cottage in the woods. said...

Balisha and Sandy, :)