my dog and wild pigeons
share the same sunny spot
a day
when I am grieving
over racial conflict
Gusts, 4, Fall/Winter 2006
Aya Yuhki
Chinese Translation (Traditional)
這一天
當我為種族衝突
而悲傷時
我的狗和一群野鴿
共享一塊陽光普及之處
Chinese Translation (Simplified)
这一天
当我为种族冲突
而悲伤时
我的狗和一群野鸽
共享一块阳光普及之处
Bio Sketch
Aya
Yuhki was born and now lives in Tokyo. She started writing tanka more
than thirty years ago and has expanded her interests to include free
verse poetry, essay writing, and literary criticism. Aya Yuhki is
Editor-in-Chief of The Tanka Journal published by the Japan Poets’ Society. Her works are featured on the homepage of the Japan Pen Club’s Electronic Library.
The contrasts, behavioural and emotional, between the two parts of this timely and socio-politically conscious tanka are poignant and effective, sparking the reader's reflection on the way we deal with the issue of otherness.
ReplyDeleteStructurally and emotionally speaking, Aya's original tanka works much better than the following suggested revision with a seemingly uplifting ending, which I think weakens the psychological impact created by this troubling issue of "racial conflict."
a day
when I am grieving
over racial conflict
my dog and wild pigeons
share the same sunny spot