Sunday, March 15, 2009

Poetry by Ma Lan: in sickness, a series 病中系列

in sickness, a series
Translation by Martin Winter

machines are surrounding the room
i am at the center, awaiting operation
falling ill is a case of practice makes perfect
to be washed by pain again and again
life is at the left side or at the right
out the window is a river and there are tall buildings
the river has an iron bridge
from august comes a light wind blowing
this is a scene in another land in a foreign bed
let us talk about the past
i like to stir up the water
to fish in troubled waters
i am ruled by the moon i come out at night
i ponder my fingers and my five senses
i recall everything i have ever eaten
the doctor examines the fluids inside
tears break through an apple sounding crisp
the tears
but i know he is still alive
he has food poisoning, like a heap of grains
right across the road
and many years later
my disease is in a dilemma and hurts
all of them are young and tender
everyday i swallow tablets we enhance each other's glory
i develop a disease
just like this

(Where to sit?) 2004, p.56

病中系列

机器围绕着房间
我在房间的中心,等待手术
生病是一件熟能生巧的事
被疼痛之水洗了一遍又一遍
生命是在左边还是右边
窗外是条河 以及高楼
河上有铁桥
淡淡的风从八月吹过
这是异域的风景和异域的病床

让我们谈点往事吧
我喜欢把水搅浑
浑水摸鱼
我受月光统治 昼伏夜行
我端详我的十指 我的五官
我缅怀我吃过的所有食物

医生检查身内的液体
泪水穿破苹果 声音清脆
泪水

可我知道他还活着
他食物中毒如一堆杂粮
横断街头
很多年以后
我的病进退艰难并且疼痛
他们都年轻多情
我每日吞服药片 和他交相辉映

我发育疾病
如此而已


(1995/9.纽约市表维医院)

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