Saturday, October 21, 2023

One Man's Maple Moon: Mother's Ghost Tanka by Susan Mary Wade

English Original

autumn walk
with mother's ghost
her words
lost upon the wind
I no longer strain to hear

Moonbathing,  23, 2020

Susan Mary Wade


Chinese Translation (Traditional)

與母親的鬼魂
在秋天散步
她的話
迷失在風中
我不再費勁去聽

Chinese Translation (Simplified)

与母亲的鬼魂
在秋天散步
她的话
迷失在风中
我不再费劲去听


Bio Sketch

Susan Mary Wade has been published in International TankaGustsRibbons, and many other magazines over the years. Her work has been anthologized, and she has received awards in the 6th, 7th and 8th International Tanka Festival Competition in Japan.

1 comment:

  1. Seemingly strange and unusual Ls 2&3 could be read as a "normal part of the grieving process:" talking to one's beloved who died.

    And the shift, emotional and tonal, in Ls 4&5 shows the first step/sign of healing and recovery.

    ReplyDelete