《致橡树》

作者：舒婷

我如果爱你——
绝不像攀援的凌霄花，
借你的高枝炫耀自己：
我如果爱你——
绝不学痴情的鸟儿，
为绿荫重复单调的歌曲；
也不止像泉源，
常年送来清凉的慰籍；
也不止像险峰，增加你的高度，衬托你的威仪。
甚至日光。
甚至春雨。
不，这些都还不够！
我必须是你近旁的一株木棉，
做为树的形象和你站在一起。
根，紧握在地下，
叶，相触在云里。
每一阵风过，
我们都互相致意，
但没有人
听懂我们的言语。
你有你的铜枝铁干，
像刀，像剑，
也像戟，
我有我的红硕花朵，
像沉重的叹息，
又像英勇的火炬，
我们分担寒潮、风雷、霹雳；
我们共享雾霭流岚、虹霓，
仿佛永远分离，
却又终身相依，
这才是伟大的爱情，
坚贞就在这里：
不仅爱你伟岸的身躯，
也爱你坚持的位置，脚下的土地。

To the Oak

By SHU Ting

If I love you –
I’ll never be a clinging campsis flower
Resplendent in borrowed glory on your high boughs;
If I love you –
I’ll never mimic the silly infatuated birds
Repeating the same monotonous song for green shade;
Or be like a spring
Offering cool comfort all year long;
Or a lofty peak
Enhancing your stature, your eminence.
Even the sunlight,
Even spring rain,
None of the these suffice!
I must be a kapok, the image of
A tree standing together with you;
Our roots closely intertwined beneath the earth,
Our leaves touching in the clouds.
With every whiff of wind
We greet each other
But no one can
Understand our words.
You’ll have bronze limbs and iron trunk,
Like knives, swords
And halberds.
I’ll have my crimson flowers
Like sighs, heavy and deep,
Like heroic torches,
Together we’ll share
The cold tidal waves, storms, and thunderbolts;
Together we’ll share
The light mist, the colored rainbows;
We shall always depend on each other.
Only this can be called great love.
Wherein lies the faith, true and deep.
I love not only your stateliness
But also your firm stand, the earth beneath you.

Happiness inexpressive sometimes can be very simple: overhearing someone speaking the accent of your hometown in a metro station eight thousands miles away from the small village, or encountering W.S.Merwin’s new poem A Message to Po Chu-I on the front page of the New Yorker’s site.

A Message to Po Chu-I

by W. S. Merwin

In that tenth winter of your exile Read the rest of this entry »

My friend Edouard died of brain tumor on Saturday morning in Paris, he was 37.

Burial Songs

Tao Yuanming

Translation: David Hinton

1

Whatever will live will die. I died

young, though not shortchanged by fate.

Last night, I was like anyone else.

This morning I’m listed among ghosts.

Read the rest of this entry »

Went to Flushing to see the Lunar New Year parade, it was… rather disappointing and boring, the most memorable performance was a traditional Korean music band with twenty some Korean aunties and uncles playing nabal, janggu, taepyeongso and buk in gorgeous Korean clothes. Well, I have to confess that the dim sum before and Dan Dan noodle after the parade were both stella and made the journey worthwhile and justified.

I always wonder why there is no real Chinese carnival in China and anywhere there is Chinese community, and most of the festivals and celebrations around are just way too predictable. The dragon boats lion dancing and red lanterns are beautiful and colorful, the moon cakes rice balls and Buddha’s Delights are delicious and flavorful, both somehow there are always something missing, the sense of amusement, the spirit of entertainment.

Read the rest of this entry »

It was a late autumn evening, cold and chilli. Sixty-three years old Tao Yuanming was seriously sick and feeling the death approaching again through the wicker gate. Born in a noble family, served as government officer, lived through death of two wives and retired into farmer’s life for more than twenty years, he lifted up the pen and wrote down the funeral oration for himself.

Self Funeral Oration Read the rest of this entry »