Standing on top of a skyscraper
one can no doubt pick the stars with ease
yet from here it seems more likely
that the stars descend from the sky themselves
to decorate the Magnificent Mile
Shining bright in the fabulous windows
or growing pale in the darkening sky—
what a choice
Near McCormick Place the ship turns around
farther down are ghettos
pitch-dark
not much to see
(1991, Chicago)
The Chinese version:
夜遊密西根湖
從摩天樓的頂層伸手摘星
應該不會太難
但多半,我猜
是星星們自己走下來
為這華麗的一哩
錦上添花
在巧奪天工的玻璃窗口欣欣炫耀
或在無人一顧的天空默默暗淡
沒有比這更現實的選擇
船到馬康密克場便掉頭了
再過去是黑人區
黑黝黝
沒什麼看頭
附注﹕華麗的一哩(The Magnificent Mile或稱The Miracle Mile) 指密西根大道 的一段,為芝加哥湖濱的黃金地帶,世界上最壯觀的高樓大廈在此林立。
馬康密克場(McCormick Place) 為工業品展覽場所。
I like this poem, it speakes of open space. Read mine - Wide Open Spaces - Adeline
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
Enjoyed the imagery, it felt like I was on the cruise experiencing everything you described. Really great poem, William! Give it a 10! Thank you for sharing. RoseAnn