One Man's Maple Moon: Song Tanka by Brian Zimmer

English Original

the cardinal

shows interest

in his song alone

leaving the crows

to quarrel

Modern Tanka Corner, 2011

Brian Zimmer

Chinese Translation (Traditional)

紅雀

只對他的歌聲

有興趣

讓一群烏鴉

爭吵不休

Chinese Translation (Simplified)

红雀

只对他的歌声

有兴趣

让一群乌鸦

争吵不休

Bio Sketch

Brian Zimmer wrote from the banks of the Mississippi River in St. Louis, Missouri. His work had appeared in various international print and online journals. He took inspiration from a variety of sources, including the ancient Japanese poetic-diary (utanikki) and free-form, poetic "essay" (zuihitsu).

One Man's Maple Moon: Stranger Tanka by Brian Zimmer

English Original

I leave

a stranger

to this land

holding 

an open cage

Spring's First Caress, 2015

Brian Zimmer

Chinese Translation (Traditional)

我把

一個陌生人

留在這片土地上

手裡拿著

一個敞開的籠子

Chinese Translation (Simplified)

我把

一个陌生人

留在这片土地上

手里拿着

一个敞开的笼子

Bio Sketch

Brian Zimmer wrote from the banks of the Mississippi River in St. Louis, Missouri. His work had appeared in various international print and online journals. He took inspiration from a variety of sources, including the ancient Japanese poetic-diary (utanikki) and free-form, poetic "essay" (zuihitsu).

One Man's Maple Moon: Creepers Tanka by Brian Zimmer

English Original

creepers climb

an edifice of stone --

if only

they might flee this place

as I can ... and I do

Magnapoets, 5, January 2010

Brian Zimmer

Chinese Translation (Traditional)

爬山虎藤蔓攀爬

一座大廈的外牆

如果它們能像我一樣

逃離這個地方就好了

而且 ... 我願意

Chinese Translation (Simplified)

爬山虎藤蔓攀爬

一座大厦的外墙

如果它们能像我一样

逃离这个地方就好了

而且 ... 我愿意

Bio Sketch

Brian Zimmer wrote from the banks of the Mississippi River in St. Louis, Missouri. His work had appeared in various international print and online journals. He took inspiration from a variety of sources, including the ancient Japanese poetic-diary (utanikki) and free-form, poetic "essay" (zuihitsu).

One Man's Maple Moon: Desire Tanka by Brian Zimmer

English Original

his desire

recedes

with each step

added

to the bridge

Lyrical Passion Poetry, 2011

Brian Zimmer

Chinese Translation (Traditional)

隨著每一步

接近

到橋上

他的慾望

減退

Chinese Translation (Simplified)

随着每一步

接近

到桥上

他的欲望

减退

Bio Sketch

Brian Zimmer wrote from the banks of the Mississippi River in St. Louis, Missouri. His work had appeared in various international print and online journals. He took inspiration from a variety of sources, including the ancient Japanese poetic-diary (utanikki) and free-form, poetic "essay" (zuihitsu).

One Man's Maple Moon: Midday Sun Tanka by Brian Zimmer

English Original

cold morning 

but that is the way 

of spring

winter’s coat unshed 

warm in the midday sun

Atlas Poetica, 20, 2015

Brian Zimmer

Chinese Translation (Traditional)

寒冷的清晨

然而這就是春天

的做法

把冬天外套脫下了

享受正午陽光的溫暖

Chinese Translation (Simplified)

寒冷的清晨

然而这就是春天

的做法

把冬天外套脱下了

享受正午阳光的温暖

Bio Sketch

Brian Zimmer wrote from the banks of the Mississippi River in St. Louis, Missouri. His work had appeared in various international print and online journals. He took inspiration from a variety of sources, including the ancient Japanese poetic-diary (utanikki) and free-form, poetic "essay" (zuihitsu).

Butterfly Dream: Lingering Sunset Haiku by Brian Zimmer

English Original

lingering sunset --

two mourning doves side by side

on a nest of twigs

Four and Twenty, 5:4, April 2012

Brian Zimmer

Chinese Translation (Traditional)

夕陽餘暉 --

兩隻哀鴿並排棲息

在一窩樹枝上

Chinese Translation (Simplified)

夕阳余晖 --

两只哀鸽并排栖息

在一窝树枝上

Bio Sketch

Brian Zimmer wrote from the banks of the Mississippi River in St. Louis, Missouri. His work had appeared in various international print and online journals. He took inspiration from a variety of sources, including the ancient Japanese poetic-diary (utanikki) and free-form, poetic "essay" (zuihitsu).

One Man's Maple Moon: Cliff's Edge Tanka by Brian Zimmer

English Original

I would walk

through the snow

to the cliff’s edge --

a young man dashed

on the rocks below

Sketchbook, 4:6, Nov./Dec. 2009

Brian Zimmer

Chinese Translation (Traditional)

我會穿過雪地

走到懸崖邊 --

從這裡

一個年輕人跳下去

撞到下面的岩石

Chinese Translation (Simplified)

我会穿过雪地

走到悬崖边 --

从这里

一个年轻人跳下去

撞到下面的岩石

Bio Sketch

Brian Zimmer wrote from the banks of the Mississippi River in St. Louis, Missouri. His work had appeared in various international print and online journals. He took inspiration from a variety of sources, including the ancient Japanese poetic-diary (utanikki) and free-form, poetic "essay" (zuihitsu).

One Man's Maple Moon: from Rooftop to Rooftop Tanka by Brian Zimmer

English Original

crows cawing

from rooftop

to rooftop ...

no answer

but the past

Brian Zimmer

Chinese Translation (Traditional)

從一座屋頂

到另一座屋頂

烏鴉在哀鳴 ...

沒有答案

但是只有過去

Chinese Translation (Simplified)

从一座屋顶

到另一座屋顶

乌鸦在哀鸣 ...

没有答案

但是只有过去

Bio Sketch

Brian Zimmer wrote from the banks of the Mississippi River in St. Louis, Missouri. His work had appeared in various international print and online journals. He took inspiration from a variety of sources, including the ancient Japanese poetic-diary (utanikki) and free-form, poetic "essay" (zuihitsu).

Butterfly Dream: First Snowfall Haiku by Brian Zimmer

English Original

first snowfall

I feel my beard

growing whiter

Brian Zimmer

Chinese Translation (Traditional)

第一場雪

我覺得我的鬍子

越來越白

Chinese Translation (Simplified)

第一场雪

我觉得我的胡子

越来越白

Bio Sketch

Brian Zimmer wrote from the banks of the Mississippi River in St. Louis, Missouri. His work had appeared in various international print and online journals. He took inspiration from a variety of sources, including the ancient Japanese poetic-diary (utanikki) and free-form, poetic "essay" (zuihitsu).

One Man's Maple Moon: Gay Pride Parade Tanka by Brian Zimmer

English Original

Gay Pride Parade

I live to see the day 

a cop 

greets his boyfriend 

with a kiss on the street 

Brian Zimmer


Chinese Translation (Traditional)

同性戀驕傲大遊行

我活著看到這一天

一位警察

迎接他的男朋友

並在街上親吻

Chinese Translation (Simplified)

同性恋骄傲大游行

我活着看到这一天

一位警察

迎接他的男朋友

并在街上亲吻

Bio Sketch

Brian Zimmer wrote from the banks of the Mississippi River in St. Louis, Missouri. His work had appeared in various international print and online journals. He took inspiration from a variety of sources, including the ancient Japanese poetic-diary (utanikki) and free-form, poetic "essay" (zuihitsu).

One Man's Maple Moon: Minnows Tanka by Brian Zimmer

English Original

casting on the river
for an image
to rest me --
minnows sleeping
on the moon

Spring's First Caress, 2014

Brian Zimmer


Chinese Translation (Traditional)

在河面上
投射一個能使我休憩
的影像 --
一群米諾魚
睡在一輪明月上

Chinese Translation (Simplified)

在河表面
投射一个能使我休憩
的影像 --
一群米诺鱼
睡在一轮明月上 


Bio Sketch

Brian Zimmer wrote from the banks of the Mississippi River in St. Louis, Missouri. His work had appeared in various international print and online journals. He took inspiration from a variety of sources, including the ancient Japanese poetic-diary (utanikki) and free-form, poetic "essay" (zuihitsu).

One Man's Maple Moon: Robin Tanka by Brian Zimmer

English Original

a robin
continues calling
undeterred
spring bubbles-up
through broken ice

Skylark, 1:2, Winter 2013

Brian Zimmer 


Chinese Translation (Traditional)

一隻知更鳥
不斷地叫喚
未受阻擾
通過碎冰間的缺口
春天逐漸地浮現

Chinese Translation (Simplified)

一只知更鸟
不断地叫唤
未受阻扰
通过碎冰间的缺口
春天逐渐地浮现


Bio Sketch

Brian Zimmer wrote from the banks of the Mississippi River in St. Louis, Missouri. His work had appeared in various international print and online journals. He took inspiration from a variety of sources, including the ancient Japanese poetic-diary (utanikki) and free-form, poetic "essay" (zuihitsu).

One Man's Maple Moon: Pine Needles Tanka by Brian Zimmer

English Original

pine needles
gentle the forest floor
another boy
in a place we could
trust to be safe

Atlas Poetica, 3, Spring 2009

Brian Zimmer


Chinese Translation (Traditional)

松針覆蓋的林地
變得平坦無礙
另一個男孩
安置在一個我們可以信賴
的安全場所
   
Chinese Translation (Simplified)

松针覆盖的林地
变得平坦无碍
另一个男孩
安置在一个我们可以信赖
的安全场所


Bio Sketch

Brian Zimmer wrote from the banks of the Mississippi River in St. Louis, Missouri. His work had appeared in various international print and online journals. He took inspiration from a variety of sources, including the ancient Japanese poetic-diary (utanikki) and free-form, poetic "essay" (zuihitsu).

One Man's Maple Moon: Oracle Tanka by Brian Zimmer

English Original

the oracle spoken
from the prison of her chair
now empty decades:
the days drag by slowly
but how the years fly

Ash Moon Anthology, 2008

Brian Zimmer


Chinese Translation (Traditional)

像似坐監困在椅子上
她傳達生活的神諭
現在椅子空了幾十年：
日子慢慢地渡過
但是歲月如何地飛逝

Chinese Translation (Simplified)

像似坐监困在椅子上
她传达生活的神谕
现在椅子空了几十年：
日子慢慢地渡过
但是岁月如何地飞逝 


Bio Sketch

Brian Zimmer wrote from the banks of the Mississippi River in St. Louis, Missouri. His work had appeared in various international print and online journals. He took inspiration from a variety of sources, including the ancient Japanese poetic-diary (utanikki) and free-form, poetic "essay" (zuihitsu).

One Man's Maple Moon: Madness Tanka by Brian Zimmer

English Original

the habit
of his madness
boys follow
their raving father
to the harbour’s edge

Atlas Poetica, 3, Spring 2009

Brian Zimmer 


Chinese Translation (Traditional)

他的瘋狂
的習癖
男孩緊隨
他們瘋狂的父親
直到海港的邊緣

Chinese Translation (Simplified)

他的疯狂
的习癖
男孩紧随
他们疯狂的父亲
直到海港的边缘 


Bio Sketch

Brian Zimmer wrote from the banks of the Mississippi River in St. Louis, Missouri. His work had appeared in various international print and online journals. He took inspiration from a variety of sources, including the ancient Japanese poetic-diary (utanikki) and free-form, poetic "essay" (zuihitsu).

One Man's Maple Moon: Flight of Night Birds Tanka by Brian Zimmer

English Original

flight
of night birds
undulant
above the storefront
its future undecided

Gusts, 20, Fall/Winter 2014

Brian Zimmer


Chinese Translation (Traditional)

店面上方
一群夜鳥
波浪狀
的飛行路徑
它的未來未定

Chinese Translation (Simplified)

店面上方
一群夜鸟
波浪状
的飞行路径
它的未来未定 


Bio Sketch

Brian Zimmer wrote from the banks of the Mississippi River in St. Louis, Missouri. His work had appeared in various international print and online journals. He took inspiration from a variety of sources, including the ancient Japanese poetic-diary (utanikki) and free-form, poetic "essay" (zuihitsu).

One Man's Maple Moon: Cradled Loss Tanka by Brian Zimmer

English Original

infants' cemetery
the soft white
of fallen snow
blankets the grave
of her cradled loss

Spring's First Caress, 2015

Brian Zimmer


Chinese Translation (Traditional)

嬰兒墓地
落雪
的一片柔白
覆蓋她失去撫育
的墳墓

Chinese Translation (Simplified)

婴儿墓地
落雪
的一片柔白
覆盖她失去抚育
的坟墓


Bio Sketch

Brian Zimmer wrote from the banks of the Mississippi River in St. Louis, Missouri. His work had appeared in various international print and online journals. He took inspiration from a variety of sources, including the ancient Japanese poetic-diary (utanikki) and free-form, poetic "essay" (zuihitsu).

One Man's Maple Moon: Grief Tanka by Brian Zimmer

English Original

this grief

not the grief expected
no tears
just miles of sand
and endless desert

Spring's First Caress, 2015

Brian Zimmer


Chinese Translation (Traditional)

這種悲傷

不是一般悲傷所預期的
沒有淚水
只是幾英里長的沙子
和一望無盡的沙漠

Chinese Translation (Simplified)

这种悲伤

不是一般悲伤所预期的
没有泪水
只是几英里长的沙子
和一望无尽的沙漠


Bio Sketch

Brian Zimmer wrote from the banks of the Mississippi River in St. Louis, Missouri. His work had appeared in various international print and online journals. He took inspiration from a variety of sources, including the ancient Japanese poetic-diary (utanikki) and free-form, poetic "essay" (zuihitsu).

One Man's Maple Moon: White Rose Tanka by Brian Zimmer

English Original

the white rose
unpetals
at my touch
even death's perfection
fleeting

Take Five: Best Contemporary Tanka, 4, 2013

Brian Zimmer


Chinese Translation (Traditional)

在我的觸碰之下
一朵白玫瑰的花瓣
紛紛飄落
甚至死亡的完美
稍縱即逝

Chinese Translation (Simplified)

在我的触碰之下
一朵白玫瑰的花瓣
纷纷飘落
甚至死亡的完美
稍纵即逝 


Bio Sketch

Brian Zimmer wrote from the banks of the Mississippi River in St. Louis, Missouri. His work had appeared in various international print and online journals. He took inspiration from a variety of sources, including the ancient Japanese poetic-diary (utanikki) and free-form, poetic "essay" (zuihitsu).

One Man's Maple Moon: Sunflower Tanka by Brian Zimmer

English Original

a sunflower
as tall as I am
lays his head on my shoulder
for a moment
as I pass

Spring's First Caress, 2015

Brian Zimmer


Chinese Translation (Traditional)

向日葵
跟我一樣高
當我經過時
它把頭放在我的肩上
一會兒

Chinese Translation (Simplified)

向日葵
跟我一样高
当我经过时
它把头放在我的肩上
一会儿


Bio Sketch

Brian Zimmer wrote from the banks of the Mississippi River in St. Louis, Missouri. His work had appeared in various international print and online journals. He took inspiration from a variety of sources, including the ancient Japanese poetic-diary (utanikki) and free-form, poetic "essay" (zuihitsu).