“Fable” by Ralph Waldo Emerson [w/ Audio]

The mountain and the squirrel  
Had a quarrel;
And the former called the latter ‘Little Prig.’
Bun replied,
‘You are doubtless very big;
But all sorts of things and weather
Must be taken in together,
To make up a year
And a sphere.
And I think it no disgrace
To occupy my place.
If I'm not so large as you,
You are not so small as I,
And not half so spry.
I'll not deny you make
A very pretty squirrel track;
Talents differ; all is well and wisely put;
If I cannot carry forests on my back,
Neither can you crack a nut.’

Cherubic Figurine [Haiku]

mountain forest trail:
cherubic figurine
cheers weary hikers.

DAILY PHOTO: Views from Geumjeongsan

DAILY PHOTO: North Gate of Geumjeong Fortress

DAILY PHOTO: Mountain Forest

DAILY PHOTO: Cliff

Image

DAILY PHOTO: Kangchenjunga Mountain

“Climbing Mt. Xian with Friends” [与诸子登岘山] by Meng Haoran [孟浩然]

Human affairs ever grind on --
Ancient or modern, shit repeats.
Mountains and rivers are changeless.
We climb to find our vista seats.
Cascade, fisher, and bridge -- subdued;
Air grows cold near dreamy, deep pools.
We read an old stone monument,
As tears glisten on cheeks like jewels.

Original Poem in Simplified Chinese:

人事有代谢, 往来成古今。
江山留胜迹, 我辈复登临。
水落鱼梁浅, 天寒梦泽深。
羊公碑字在, 读罢泪沾襟。

Note: This is poem #125 from 300 Tang Poems [唐诗三百首]

White Columns [Haiku]

white columns
rise from a mountain lake:
once mighty pines.

Hazy Mountain [Haiku]

haze-enveloped mountain:
edges softened like painted backdrop.