Cold mountain Quote by Gary Snyder
““I have lived at Cold Mountain These thirty long years. Yesterday I called on friends and family: More than half had gone to the Yellow Springs. Slowly consumed, like fire down a candle; Forever flowing, like a passing river. Now, morning, I face my lone shadow: Suddenly my eyes are bleared with tears.””
About This Quote
Source Poem: “Cold Mountain” by Gary Snyder, 1970
The poet reflects on aging, loss of friends, and the fleeting nature of life, using natural imagery to convey sorrow and acceptance.
In simple terms: Aging brings loss and reflection on life's transience.
Key Takeaway
Embrace impermanence and cherish moments.
Themes
mortality
loss
reflection
Mood
melancholy
contemplative
Type
poetic
philosophical
When to use this quote
- elderly care
- grief counseling
- personal journaling
- memorial services
Key Concepts
impermanence
nature metaphor
Questions to Reflect On
- What memories surface when you think of lost loved ones?
- How can nature help process grief?
A Different Perspective
May romanticize suffering without offering coping tools.
![“But if you do know what is taught by plants and weather, you are in on the gossip and can feel truly at home. The sum of a field's forces [become] what we call very loosely the 'spirit of the place.' To know the spirit of a place is to realize that you are a part of a part and that the whole is…” quote by Gary Snyder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/af3/gary-snyder-4502_feels_but-if-you-do-know-what-is-taught-by-pla_256516.jpg)
