Speak

I am poet
I die
Many deaths

When a line ends
When a child
Grows
Out of its shoes

When sorrow
Marches across the front
Of the newspapers
Or the season makes
It rain, and the city freezes
To ice

I touch
Fire
My hand glows
I place it
On my lips


说

我是诗人
我死了
很多次

当一条线结束
当一个孩子
长大
靴子显得小了

当悲伤
横亘在
报纸的头条
或者到下雨的季节，城市
变成冰封的世界

我触摸着
火
将那只发热的手
放在
嘴唇上


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