Son Mountain 4 [a Cold Mountain Transcreation]

Cold Mountain holds so many wonders

climbers find themselves terrified—

when the moon is shining, the water is brilliant,

when the wind is blowing, grasses stir and sigh,

bare plum trees bloom with snow,

dead trees leaf with clouds.

A little rain transforms everything

but unless all is clear, you’ll never get through.

(from the translations of RP-157, RH-154, GS14, BW-45)

RP-157

Cold Mountain has so many wonders

climbers all get scared

water shimmers in the moonlight

plants rustle in the wind

withered plum trees bloom with snow

snags grow leaves of clouds

touched by rain they all revive

unless it's clear you can't get through

RH-154

Han-shan has many hidden wonders;

Climbers are always struck with awe.

When the moon shines, the waters are clear and bright;

When the wind blows, grasses rustle and sigh.

Withered plums, the snow becomes their blossoms;

Branchless trees have clouds filling in for their leaves.

Touched by rain, it's transformed—all fresh and alive;

If it's not a clear day, you cannot ascend.

BW-45

Cold Mountain is full of weird sights;

People who try to climb it always get scared.

When the moon shines, the water glints and

sparkles;

When the wind blows, the grasses rustle and sigh.

Snowflakes make blossoms for the bare plum,

Clouds in place of leaves for the naked trees.

At a touch of rain, the whole mountain shimmers

But only in good weather can you make the climb.

GS-14

Cold Mountain has many hidden wonders,

People who climb here are always getting scared.

When the moon shines, water sparkles clear

When the wind blows, grass swishes and rattles.

On the bare plum, flowers of snow

On the dead stump, leaves of mist.

At the touch of rain it all turns fresh and live

At the wrong season you can't ford the creeks.