Poetry by Ma Lan: The accident and the reason 事故和理由

The accident and the reason

Translation by Martin Winter

It is only an accident
parking the car
i stepped on the gas
but i cannot stop the fear
if there was a reason i would show my powers
to fill this single room with roses
not much connection with the accident
up to a point you can still drive the car
but we haven't bought any insurance
when you buy insurance you go through formalities
you need as much money as for the car
there is a structure you have to keep up
i would surrender if there was a reason
but how can i find my companion
on the steps of memory
these structures i kept up since i was small
a good appetite but no interest in kitchens
who knows if all of this is enough
to flee from the scene, after the accident
they say you don't need a reason
the victims, their relatives
entering the scene, to look for a reason
the colour on the wall slowly refuses to eat
the fear and the reason no reason the fear
so i go and spit some flowers

(Where to sit?) 2004, p.52

事故和理由


这只是一场事故
在停车的时候
踩了油门
但我不能停止恐惧
如果有一个理由我就去显灵
在单身的卧房插满玫瑰
这与事故没有太大的关系
在某种程度上车还能开
可是我们还没买保险
买保险需要一些手续
以及和车同样贵的金钱
有一个结构需要保持
只要有理由我就投降
可我怎么样找到我的同伴
在记忆的台阶上
那些我从小保持的结构
对厨房不感兴趣但胃口很好
谁知道呢这一切够不够
逃离现场，事故发生之后
据说不需要理由
被害之人他们的亲人
进入现场寻找理由
颜色在墙上渐渐绝食
恐惧理由没有理由恐惧
那么我口吐鲜花

（1996，7，13）