his eulogy --
these trivial thoughts trickling
through my grief,
while raindrops are handed down
from leaf to leaf to leaf
Lynx, 13:3, 1998
Larry Kimmel
Chinese Translation (Traditional)
他的悼詞 --
這些瑣碎的想法一點點地
滲透穿過我的悲傷，
雨滴由一片葉子
流到另一片葉子，到另一片葉子
Chinese Translation (Simplified)
他的悼词 --
这些琐碎的想法一点点地
渗透穿过我的悲伤，
雨滴由一片叶子
流到另一片叶子，到另一片叶子
Bio Sketch
Larry
Kimmel is a US poet. He holds degrees from Oberlin Conservatory and
Pittsburgh University, and has worked at everything from steel mills to
libraries. He now lives quietly in the hills of western Massachusetts.
Recent books are outer edges and shards and dust.
The contrasts between the two parts of the poem ("eulogy," a speech that praises the deceased on a public occasion vs "trivial thoughts"... in an inner world of one's own ... and "raindrops" handed down from leaf to leaf ... in the external world) are thematically significant and emotionally effective.
ReplyDeleteThe shift in theme and scene are both deeply personal yet easily relatable.
A fresh and poignant tanka on loss and grief tanka!