30 review for A Drifting Boat: Chinese Zen Poetry

1. 

   5 out of 5

   Riku Sayuj – Jul 01, 2012

   All the poems are so well translated and seems to keep true to their original innocence and wonder. Each piece in this collection should be repeated multiple times to feel its true resonance - like the humming and the mumbling that these poets talk of when they talk of chanting poetry. The gibbons chattering, the moonlight flowing over you, the soft wind caressing, the lofty mountains for friends, the white clouds playful all around and the other minute yet infinite details of a secluded life tak All the poems are so well translated and seems to keep true to their original innocence and wonder. Each piece in this collection should be repeated multiple times to feel its true resonance - like the humming and the mumbling that these poets talk of when they talk of chanting poetry. The gibbons chattering, the moonlight flowing over you, the soft wind caressing, the lofty mountains for friends, the white clouds playful all around and the other minute yet infinite details of a secluded life take special meaning in each repetitive but strangely innovative verse. And of course, the boats keep drifting, empty, alone; filled only with the silver moonlight. My favorite one: River. Snow. A thousand mountains. Flying birds vanish. Ten thousand paths. Human traces erased. One boat, bamboo hat, bark cape — an old man. Alone with his hook. Cold river. Snow.

2. 

   5 out of 5

   Jenni – Aug 01, 2007

   Great book to relax with or meditate.

3. 

   4 out of 5

   Don Wentworth – Oct 20, 2015

   An interesting, focused (Zen) collection of Chinese poetry by veteran translators J.P. Seaton and Dennis Maloney. Some fine work here from one of our most important small literary presses, White Pine. Definitely worth a read for those interested inboth Chinese poetry and Zen.

4. 

   4 out of 5

   Tim Smith – Feb 27, 2015

   When you try to stop activity to achieve passivity your very effort fills you with activity. As long as you remain in one extreme or the other you will never know Oneness.

5. 

   4 out of 5

   Anita Wirawan –

6. 

   5 out of 5

   Bilcha –

7. 

   4 out of 5

   Raiyan Ahsan –

8. 

   5 out of 5

   Jeremy Ray –

9. 

   5 out of 5

   Monique –

10. 

    4 out of 5

    Shashank –

11. 

    5 out of 5

    Tiago Ceccon –

12. 

    4 out of 5

    Craig Dove –

13. 

    5 out of 5

    Tony Paese –

14. 

    4 out of 5

    Gabriel –

15. 

    4 out of 5

    John Elvin –

16. 

    4 out of 5

    Arian –

17. 

    5 out of 5

    Shari –

18. 

    5 out of 5

    Alexis Smith –

19. 

    5 out of 5

    السعيد عبدالغني –

20. 

    5 out of 5

    Liviu –

21. 

    4 out of 5

    Brian Watson –

22. 

    4 out of 5

    Melinda –

23. 

    4 out of 5

    Kay –

24. 

    4 out of 5

    Heidi –

25. 

    4 out of 5

    H –

26. 

    5 out of 5

    I_hate_books –

27. 

    5 out of 5

    Mark –

28. 

    5 out of 5

    Vincent –

29. 

    5 out of 5

    Tony –

30. 

    5 out of 5

    Diego –