Zhai Yongli: Three Poems

齐凤艳译

The Wild Persimmon Tree

Only in spring, this wild persimmon tree
Bears thoughts again.
All the winter it stands tranquilly,
Sticking out branches and twigs as if it has words but unspoken.

It is lively at the turn of spring and summer.
When flower season ends, little persimmons hang on the branches.

In autumn, these persimmons become little lanterns,
The wild persimmon tree’s thoughts,
Red, very red.

Grandma

Now. Shepherd’s purse, dandelion and wormwood
Have already crawled over Grandmother’s grave.
They thrive and wither on it,
Grandma rests under.

These mounds of the same color as the earth
Are my ancestral graves.
Grandma will not feel lonely here,
Besides her live
All her family members.

Whenever peach flowers are red and pear flowers white,
I will remember Grandma. In the scene of spring
Is a cord wheel.
Every time Grandma spins it,
Life gains one more score for its happiness.

The Pomegranate Tree

For ten years, this pomegranate tree
Blooms but bears no fruits.
Just as I cannot give my father another grandson.
The pomegranate tree and I
Become my father’s sore point.

When the pomegranate tree is in bloom
With female flower charming and male flowers flaming,
My father often stands by, looking
With hope for a miracle.

Only in one autumn, one fruit grew ripe
Reluctant to pick it off, my father let it there, like an honor roll,
Hanging in the branches.

In front of my father, I feel as guilty as the pomegranate tree.
How simple his desire is.

（中译英）

诗三首

翟永立

野柿子树

只有在春天，这棵野柿子树
才能重新长出思想
整个冬天，它都安静地站着
它伸出的枝桠，举言又止

它活泼的时候，是在春夏之交
花期过后，小柿子便挂满枝头

秋天，小柿子变成了小灯笼
野柿子树的思想
通红，通红

奶奶

现在。荠菜、蒲公英和蒿草们
已经爬满奶奶的坟头
它们在上面荣枯
奶奶在下面安息

这些有着和大地一样肤色的土堆儿
正是我家的祖坟
奶奶在这里不会感到孤单
她的附近，住的
全是亲人

桃花红梨花白的时候
我都会想起奶奶，在春天
手摇纺车的情景
奶奶每摇一下
日子就美满一分

石榴树

十年了，这棵石榴树
只开花不结果。
正如我不能再给父亲添一个孙子
石榴树和我
成为父亲的心病

石榴树开花的时候
母花娇艳。公花火红
父亲常在一旁观望
盼望有奇迹发生

只有一年，有一颗石榴长到成熟
父亲舍不得摘，让它像光荣榜一样
挂在枝头

在父亲面前，我有石榴树般的愧疚
他的愿望，是何等的朴素