by Yan Li
(translated by Denis Mair)
The state has occupied all geographical surfaces
I can only construct my inner world downward
The government has taken the biggest banquet table
The plate in my hands will have to serve as my table
Social institutions occupy all the skeletal joints
I must pound out a romantic mood with percussion of flesh
Schools have occupied the vantage point of education
All my theories can do is fight guerilla actions
My wife has occupied the facial expression of family life
All I can do is polish the mirror a little brighter
My children have occupied the future
All I can do is help them tie their shoes
For this kind of arrangement
All I can say is thank you
Romantic mood is pounded with patience and fee mind. A brilliant poem is excellently penned by Yan Li. The same essence is reflected well in your excellent translation. Wonderful poem is shared...10
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
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All I can do is polish the mirror a little brighter My children have occupied the future All I can do is help them tie their shoes For this kind of arrangement All I can say is thank you - - - - - -It is such a beautiful poem of gratitude.There is no complaint in the tone, rather finding a space for oneself and also in the process helping the arrangement to grow besides being grateful for what he has got. Thank you Yan Li and thank you Denis Mair for sharing the lovely poem.