English Original
election night
lighting a cigarette
with another
Frogpond, 42:1, 2019
Elliot Nicely
Chinese Translation (Traditional)
選舉之夜
用一支香煙點燃
另一支
Chinese Translation (Simplified)
选举之夜
用一支香烟点燃
另一支
Bio Sketch
Elliot Nicely is the author of Sine Qua Non (Red Moon Press, 2024). He resides in Lakewood, Ohio.
L 1, “election night,” establishes the setting by referring to a significant local or national political event. Ls 2&3, “lighting a cigarette / with another,” describe a continuous action that suggests chain-smoking. This image conveys anxiety, anticipation, and nervous energy without stating these emotions directly.
ReplyDeleteThe contrast between a public sociopolitical event and a private, habitual action creates strong emotional tension. By focusing on a small, intimate gesture against the backdrop of a consequential political moment, this haiku effectively captures the uncertainty and unease associated with contemporary life.