a tale

under the clouded night
when the stars
go back

they tell the child
the country is an empire
without blood

but she knows
there’s red in the flag
and mud on its boots

brown like the skin
of its people singing
the true anthem




一个故事

乌云密布的夜空下
当众星
隐去

他们告诉那个孩子
乡下是一个
不流血的帝国

但是她知道
那旗上染着红色
靴上沾着泥浆

靴上的棕褐色与那
正唱着真正圣歌的
人们的皮肤正一样


Translator's Note: "Coming from a mountain village, I have a deep understanding of the proverb “ God help those who help themselves”. Whether in study or work, I take it seriously. After years of professional learning and drilling in school and work, I’m able to do some translation work in certain circumstances, spoken or written, and give English class. Personally speaking, translation is an art which can never be perfect. It is this imperfection that attracts me so deeply. Spreading knowledge and exchanging ideas are also fun in my life. Class is a place where ideas are exchanged and new ideas are created. Patience, circumspection and confidence are the three magic weapons that have long accompanied me."--Gao Xianxin