SMALL NOTES IN MY OLD AGE

I return to the village and see lots of red peppers  
sunbathing on the threshing floor with me,
giving warmth to the summer.
I put my hands to my eyebrow to make an arbor
as if installing an air conditioner in front of my eyes.
In fact, my forehead and my neck are making salt.
Lots of salt. Look, we’ve made this summer so salty!
And I’m not hospitable enough to myself, otherwise
why should I bring myself this full cup of liquor?
Yes, because I’ve finally had half of it.
As an antique holistic idealist, I demand everything be complete
including remnants of clouds, embers and death.
However, I can accept what’s second best: no old age.
Too many people give up the rest of their lives to be a martyr.
One life is too short to accommodate, might as well leave.
I am so extreme. I either fly up to eat people, or dive
into the sea to watch the stars – the sky collapses,
sea water overflowing. If my old age coincides with this earth,
why aren’t we doomed on the same day?  If the earth can’t wait
for my urgent but sweet deadline, I will say to the world:
Come sooner!

晚景小记

晚景小记

我回到乡下，看见自己与许多红辣椒一道
　　在场坝上晒太阳。我们把夏天搞得有多热啊。
　　我手搭凉篷，就以为在眼前安装了空调？
　　事实上，我的额角与颈子出产了许多盐。
　　看，我们还把这个夏天搞得如此咸湿！
　　并且，我对自己的款待也不尽人情，不然
　　我为什么要让自己斟上这一只满杯？
　　是的，因为我好不容易才有了半杯。
　　作为一个古旧的整体主义者，我要求
　　一切都是完备的，包括残云、余烬与垂死。
　　其实我也可以退而求其次：没有晚年。
　　这世上有太多人为了成为先驱而放弃了下半生。
　　一生太短，无法容纳，还不如抽身离去。
　　我如此极端，要不然飞起来吃人，要不然
　　就潜到海底看星星──天塌了，海水也溢满陆地。
　　如果我自己的衰老与地球暗合，为什么
　　我们的末日不能是同一天？假若地球等不及我这个
　　急切而甜蜜的大限，我会对世界说：请提前！