English Original
curls of earth
turned by the plough
in a once-barren field
we offer toil, tears and sweat
this year of the ox
Carol Jones
Chinese Translation (Traditional)
犁過的田地
帶有捲曲的泥土
今年是牛年
在曾經荒蕪的田野
我們提供勞苦, 淚水和汗水
Chinese Translation (Simplified)
犁过的田地
带有卷曲的泥土
今年是牛年
在曾经荒芜的田野
我们提供劳苦, 泪水和汗水
Bio Sketch
Carol Jones lives and works on a farm in one of the South Wales valleys, UK. Although she hasn't the time to get involved in the wider environmental issues, she does document her own environment as she goes about her work.
The visually and emotionally evocative opening image depicts a farming scene while the Churchchillian will-to-succeed closing statement highlights the focus, thematic and cultural, of the Chinese New Year of the Ox.
ReplyDeleteCarol's tanka is timely and emotionally and symbolically suitable for today, the first work day after the Chinese New Year holidays.
FYI: On May 10, 1940, Winston Churchill became Prime Minister. When he met his Cabinet on May 13 he told them that “I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears and sweat.”