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READING AN ANTHOLOGY OF CHINESE POEMS OF THE SUNG DYNASTY, I PAUSE TO ADMIRE THE LENGTH AND CLARITY OF THEIR TITLES.

Publisher	Modern Poetry Association
Publication	Poetry
Subject	Literature/writing
Format	Magazine/Journal
ISSN	0032-2032
Issues per Year	12
Volume	174
Issue	3
Published	1999-06-01

Role	Type	Name
Author	n/a	Billy Collins

   It seems these poets have nothing
   up their ample sleeves
   they turn over so many cards so early,
   telling us before the first line
   whether it is wet or dry,
   night or day, the season the man is standing in,
   even how much he has had to drink.

   Maybe it is autumn and he is looking at a sparrow.
   Maybe it is snowing on a town with a beautiful name.

   "Viewing Peonies at the Temple of Good Fortune
   on a Cloudy Afternoon" is one of Sun Tung Po's.
   "Dipping Water from the River and Simmering Tea"
   is another one, or just
   "On a Boat, Awake at Night."
...

[This journal article is 309 words long]