Chinese women’s poetry

Second in a series

Please refer to the post on 30.04.2023

When you walk past my window

When you walk past my window

Bless me,

For the light is still on.

The light is on –

In this dark night

Like a speck of a fisherman’s lantern.

You may suppose that my little cabin

Is a small boat tossing in the storm

Yet I’m not sinking

For the light is still on.

•  

The light is on

Throwing my shadow on the curtain  –

A tottering old man

With a humped back,

Making feeble gestures.  But my heart is not old

For the light is still on.

The light is on –

With passion burning

It accepts the greetings from every direction.

The light is on –

With dignity, pride

It glares down all oppressions, open or hidden.

Ah, when did it acquire such distinctive character?

Since you began to understand me.

•  

For the light is still on,

Bless me

When you walk past my window.

                                                                   Shu Ting  (1952  –    )

Quoted from Julia C. Lin (transl.):  Women of the Red Plain    An anthology of contemporary Chinese women’s poetry. Penguin Books. 1992.

http://www.willwilltravel.wordpress. com

Bridgewater, Somerset West

May 2023 

Infinite stars

Infinite stars sparkle

In the deep blues of sky

Does anyone ever hear them talk?

In the depths of silence

Within this faint light

They brightly sing one another’s praise.

•  Bing Xin  (1900  –    )