This is an English translation by Abby Lu of a contemporary poem by 聞一多, 《死水》, about a stagnant pond, which he used as metaphor for the corrupt and closed Old China.
Original work:
《死水》，闻一多
這是一溝絕望的死水，
清風吹不起半點漪淪。
不如多扔些破銅爛鐵，
爽性潑你的剩菜殘羹。
也許銅的要綠成翡翠，
鐵罐上鏽出機瓣桃花；
再讓油膩織一層羅琦，
霉菌給他蒸出些雲霞。
讓死水酵成一溝綠酒，
漂滿了珍珠似的白沫；
小珠們笑聲變成大珠；
又被偷酒的花蚊咬破。
那麼一溝絕望的死水，
也就誇得上幾分鮮明。
如果青蛙耐不住寂寞，
又算死水叫出了歌聲。
這是一溝絕望的死水，
這裏斷不是美的所在，
不如讓給醜惡來開墾，
看它造出個什麼世界。
Translation by A.L:
“Stagnancy,” Wen Yiduo
This is a meandering of despondent stagnancy,
That not even the lightest of zephyrs can stir.
It is better to throw in more used metal and bronze,
And Indulgently scatter your leftovers.
Perhaps the verdigris can crystallize into jade,
Cherry blossoms blooming from the rust draped tin cans.
Let the grease weave an elaborate veil of brocade,
And the mold steam out some clouds for it.
Let the stagnancy brew into a nectar of greenery,
Floating with white and pearl like foam.
Little pearls laughing into big pearls,
And popped by wine thieving mosquitoes.
Such a despondent jug of stagnancy,
Even if it houses praise of color and the new.
If the frogs cannot stand the silent solitude,
Perhaps the stagnancy has sung some tunes.
This is an utterly despondent stagnancy,
This is not a place for beauty,
So why not gift it to ugliness,
And see what sort of a world it creates.
Note:
This is a poem that houses the frustration of the author. He left with great expectations to study abroad, only to be greeted with discrimination because he is Chinese. Coming back, he had hopes for his beloved nation, only to have his dreams shattered the ugly reality that is corruption and colonization. To him, this was a disgusting old China, a hopeless pond of stagnancy. He wrote this poem in hopes of a better new China, and in anger and poignancy for the old China.
About the Translator:
Abby Lu
See About page.
The Big Duck 