the love poem
will I ever compose it
one with words
that shall read like birdsong
from a nightingale's beak
Honorable Mention, The Saigyo Awards for Tanka 2008
an'ya
Chinese Translation (Traditional)
我將會撰寫
的情詩
是一首讀起來
像是出自夜鶯口中
的鳥鳴聲
Chinese Translation (Simplified)
我将会撰写
的情诗
是一首读起来
像是出自夜莺口中
的鸟鸣声
Bio Sketch
an'ya is a haiku and tanka poet who has been published in over 60 foreign languages, and appeared in places and publications worldwide. If you would like to read more of her works and a complete biography, please visit https://sites.google.com/site/existencearts/
The simile is well established through the effective jux. of tanka's linguistic meaning ("shot song") and nightingale's symbolism ("love")
ReplyDeletean'ya's beautifully-crafted tanka stirs me to ponder over Herbert Kohl's view of poetry: Poetry is a form of song, a boundary art between music and conversation.
And it also reminds me of Yasunari Kawabata's reflection on his first reading of Japanese court poetry:
"Even now when I am engaged in literary activities, I can hear the tune of the songs echoing. I cannot disobey their voices..."