The Man Who Cuts Firewood for the Winter

The man who cuts firewood 
brings more life 
than the pale winter sun.

The man who cuts firewood for the winter
is quick and precise with his hands—
the way he cuts wood astonishes me.

As the cold weather approaches,
the man who cuts firewood
is more patient than the season over his shoulder.
He is calm and focused

— then the ax comes down. Even more
than a revolution, it prevents me
from writing.

I look out and see him in the yard
as he straightens up, then I watch him depart.
I know he will survive the winter,
more than the winter.

1989

一个劈木柴过冬的人

一个劈木柴过冬的人

        一个劈木柴过冬的人
　　比一阵虚弱的阳光
　　更能给冬天带来生气

　　一个劈木柴过冬的人
　　双手有力、准确
　　他进入事物，令我震动、惊悚

　　而严冬将至
　　一个劈木柴过冬的人，比他肩胛上的冬天
　　更沉着，也更
　　专注

　　——斧子下来的一瞬，比一场革命
　　更能中止
　　我的写作

　　我抬起头来，看他在院子里起身
　　走动，转身离去
　　心想：他不仅仅能度过冬天