Commentary On The Bilingual Poem Holy Mountains Poem by William He

Commentary on the Bilingual Poem Holy Mountains by William He
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Holy Mountains
By William He

Tender light of shelter.
Circling the snow-flanked peaks afar,
Mythical beasts to exist here.
Greenish vapour at decline of day swimming,
Stepped labyrinth and thorny dell,
Tortoise alone knows where it dwells.

Wild Spirits are moving.
Shades of gray form stages for the supernatural,
Beneath the alabaster sky.
The russet arabesques in the calm breezes sway,
The Sacred Tree with its lively wit,
Time dries all wantonness with it.

An Echo in Ayakekumu lake floating idly,
And while countless stars pass by,
They more transient than the ray.
Gilding pale streams with heavenly alchemy,
The life awakening through the glades.
Meteorites and neutrons long dissolving,
And bound in the moment of magnetism still.
Through Snake Eyes,
Lulled by hush-song of glittering water,
Someone lap-lapping the heated stones.
The river tossing its head in sprightly dance.
The clouds are at play in the azure space,
The notes of joy from the holy falcons,
Pondering the summits with the snows and rocks.
Splash of colourful brightness,
Alluring the bystander towards the original charm.
The song of diverse life within a whole,
Chasing away all gloom and glum.

William He's bilingual poem 'Holy Mountains'is a profound exploration of the human need for spiritual fulfillment and a yearning for transcendence. He skillfully interweaves the imagery of the natural world with religious and philosophical allusions to create a thought-provoking work that speaks to the universal human condition.

The poem is structured in two languages: English and Chinese. Each language is used to convey different aspects of the poem's message. The English sections provide a more literal description of the natural scenery, while the Chinese sections are imbued with philosophical musings and spiritual allusions. The combination of these two languages creates a deep and nuanced reading experience that rewards close attention.

The central imagery of the poem is the majestic mountains, which are described in vivid detail through imagery such as 'greenish vapour'and'tender light of shelter'. The mountains are presented as holy sites, places of spiritual significance where one can connect with the divine. The poem's opening lines set the stage for this central theme: 'Stepped labyrinth and thorny dell/Tortoise alone knows where it dwells. 'By personifying the mountains as 'hallowed'and'majestic'. He imbues them with a sense of awe and reverence, inviting the reader to contemplate the mystery and majesty of the natural world.

Throughout the poem, He also incorporates religious and philosophical allusions to deepen the meditation on the mountains. For instance, the line, 'Gilding pale streams with heavenly alchemy' signals the Chinese Tao's influence on the poem, as the Tao is a central concept in Chinese philosophy. By invoking the Tao, He suggests that the mountains are a place where one can connect with the ultimate source of being and wisdom.

Similarly, in the line, 'Splash of colourful brightness/Alluring the bystander towards the original charm', He references the biblical tradition of prophets who receive divine visions and insights on mountaintops. By drawing on both Eastern and Western religious traditions, He creates a bridge between different cultural and spiritual practices and underscores the universal human need for meaning and connection.

One notable feature of the poem is the contrast between earthly and spiritual images. The initial descriptions of the mountains evoke their physical attributes, such as 'granite ridges', 'lake, 'and 'waterfalls'. However, as the poem unfolds, these natural features take on a deeper symbolic significance, representing the ascent from the physical to the spiritual realm.

One of the most striking moments in the poem comes in the lines, 'Wild Spirits are moving/Shades of gray form stages for the supernatural/The Sacred Tree with its lively wit/Time dries all wantonness with it'. Here, He presents the mountains as a metaphorical journey towards spiritual enlightenment, emphasizing the transformative power of the natural world. The idea of pilgrimage is a common theme in religious and spiritual practices, and the inclusion of this concept serves to further deepen the poem's spiritual significance.

Another notable aspect of the poem is its use of repetition and refrain. The phrase 'holy mountains' is repeated multiple times throughout the poem and serves as a unifying element. The repetition of this phrase creates a sense of ritualistic chanting, evoking the meditative and spiritual qualities that the mountains can inspire.

In conclusion, 'Holy Mountains' is a beautifully crafted bilingual poem that invites the reader on a journey through the majestic and hallowed natural world. Through the use of evocative imagery and religious and philosophical allusions, William He creates a deeply reflective work that speaks to the human need for spiritual fulfillment and transcendence. The poem's bilingual structure enhances its richness and complexity, inviting readers to explore the nuances of language and culture and to contemplate the universal human experience.