One Man's Maple Moon: Warbled Songs Tanka by Thelma Mariano

English Original

from the river's edge

a blend of warbled songs

highs and lows

the harmony we share

despite different notes

Thelma Mariano

 

Chinese Translation (Traditional)

來自河邊

婉轉的歌聲交織融合

有高亢與低沉

儘管音符不同

我們卻共享和諧

Chinese Translation (Simplified)

来自河边

婉转的歌声交织融合

有高亢与低沉

尽管音符不同

我们却共享和谐

Bio Sketch

Thelma Mariano is the author of Night Sky: a Selection of Tanka Poetry. She lives in Montreal and has published her tanka in literary journals as well as in various anthologies including Fire Pearls and Take Five: Best Contemporary Tanka.

One Man's Maple Moon: Chill Tanka by Thelma Mariano

English Original

defying this chill                                              

tiny mauve flowers nod                                  

as I walk by

I, too, will not be ruled

by the seasons of my life

Thelma Mariano

 

Chinese Translation (Traditional)

無視這寒冷

當我走過時

淡紫色的小花點頭

我也不會被生命的季節

所支配

Chinese Translation (Simplified)

无视这寒冷

当我走过时

淡紫色的小花点头

我也不会被生命的季节

所支配

Bio Sketch

Thelma Mariano is the author of Night Sky: a Selection of Tanka Poetry. She lives in Montreal and has published her tanka in literary journals as well as in various anthologies including Fire Pearls and Take Five: Best Contemporary Tanka.

One Man's Maple Moon: Moment Tanka by Thelma Mariano

English Original

the stillness of snow

broken by the whooshing

of speeding cars

a moment so complete

yet empty without you

Thelma Mariano

 

Chinese Translation (Traditional)

雪的靜謐

被呼嘯而過飛馳汽車

的車流聲打破

如此完整的一刻

卻因你的缺席而感到空虛

Chinese Translation (Simplified)

雪的静谧

被呼啸而过飞驰汽车

的车流声打破

如此完整的一刻

却因你的缺席而感到空虚

Bio Sketch

Thelma Mariano is the author of Night Sky: a Selection of Tanka Poetry. She lives in Montreal and has published her tanka in literary journals as well as in various anthologies including Fire Pearls and Take Five: Best Contemporary Tanka.

One Man's Maple Moon: Petunias Tanka by Thelma Mariano

English Original

rows of petunias

all pink and evenly spaced

to think

my life could have been

that predictable

Thelma Mariano

 

Chinese Translation (Traditional)

一排排矮牽牛花

全是粉紅色, 間距均勻

想一想

我的人生本來可以

如此地可預測

Chinese Translation (Simplified)

一排排矮牵牛花

全是粉红色, 间距均匀

想一想

我的人生本来可以

如此地可预测

Bio Sketch

Thelma Mariano is the author of Night Sky: a Selection of Tanka Poetry. She lives in Montreal and has published her tanka in literary journals as well as in various anthologies including Fire Pearls and Take Five: Best Contemporary Tanka.

One Man's Maple Moon: Saxophone Player Tanka by Thelma Mariano

English Original

first day of spring --

next to saxophone player

young lovers kiss

after all these years

my heart still leaps

Thelma Mariano

 

Chinese Translation (Traditional)

春天的第一天 --

薩克斯風演奏者旁邊

的年輕戀人擁吻

經過這麼多年

我的心仍然跳動

Chinese Translation (Simplified)

春天的第一天 --

萨克斯風演奏者旁边

的年轻恋人拥吻

经过这么多年

我的心仍然跳动

Bio Sketch

Thelma Mariano is the author of Night Sky: a Selection of Tanka Poetry. She lives in Montreal and has published her tanka in literary journals as well as in various anthologies including Fire Pearls and Take Five: Best Contemporary Tanka.

One Man's Maple Moon: Plaintive Cry Tanka by Thelma Mariano

English Original

the plaintive cry

of a sandpiper

trailing

in the distance

even he can’t say goodbye

Thelma Mariano

 

Chinese Translation (Traditional)

尾隨

在遠方之處

一隻鷸鳥

哀怨的哭泣

就連他也無法說再見

Chinese Translation (Simplified)

尾随

在远方之处

一只鹬鸟

哀怨的哭泣

就连他也无法说再见

Bio Sketch

Thelma Mariano is the author of Night Sky: a Selection of Tanka Poetry. She lives in Montreal and has published her tanka in literary journals as well as in various anthologies including Fire Pearls and Take Five: Best Contemporary Tanka.

One Man's Maple Moon: Welcoming Warmth Tanka by Thelma Mariano

English Original

across the darkness

lights on the far shore beam

a welcoming warmth

like the friends and lovers

we will meet by reaching out

Thelma Mariano

 

Chinese Translation (Traditional)

穿越黑暗

遠岸的燈光發出

熱情的歡迎

像朋友和情人一樣

透過聯絡我們將會見面

Chinese Translation (Simplified)

穿越黑暗

远岸的灯光发出

热情的欢迎

像朋友和情人一样

透过联络我们将会见面

Bio Sketch

Thelma Mariano is the author of Night Sky: a Selection of Tanka Poetry. She lives in Montreal and has published her tanka in literary journals as well as in various anthologies including Fire Pearls and Take Five: Best Contemporary Tanka.

One Man's Maple Moon: Thin Moon Tanka by Thelma Mariano

English Original

in tonight's sky

your memory still lingers

a thin moon

growing fainter with each step

I take towards home

Thelma Mariano

 

Chinese Translation (Traditional)

在今晚的天空

你的記憶依然揮之不去

一輪薄月

在我回家的路上每走一步

它都變得越來越幽微

Chinese Translation (Simplified)

在今晚的天空

你的记忆依然挥之不去

一轮薄月

在我回家的路上每走一步

它都变得越来越幽微

Bio Sketch

Thelma Mariano is the author of Night Sky: a Selection of Tanka Poetry. She lives in Montreal and has published her tanka in literary journals as well as in various anthologies including Fire Pearls and Take Five: Best Contemporary Tanka.

One Man's Maple Moon: Two Red Candles Tanka by Thelma Mariano

English Original

in a window

two red candles burning

I cling to their warmth

this long wintry night

before your return

Thelma Mariano

 

Chinese Translation (Traditional)

在一個窗口內

兩支紅蠟燭在燃燒

我緊靠著它們的溫暖

在你回來之前

這個漫長的冬夜

Chinese Translation (Simplified)

在一个窗口内

两支红蜡烛在燃烧

我紧靠着它们的温暖

在你回来之前

这个漫长的冬夜

Bio Sketch

Thelma Mariano is the author of Night Sky: a Selection of Tanka Poetry. She lives in Montreal and has published her tanka in literary journals as well as in various anthologies including Fire Pearls and Take Five: Best Contemporary Tanka.

One Man's Maple Moon: Endless Tunnel Tanka by Thelma Mariano

English Original

subway cars

in the grey underground

run all night

how do I escape

this endless tunnel

Thelma Mariano

 

Chinese Translation (Traditional)

地鐵車廂

在灰色的地道中

整夜奔跑

我該如何逃脫

這條無盡的隧道

Chinese Translation (Simplified)

地铁车厢

在灰色的地道中

整夜奔跑

我该如何逃脱

这条无尽的隧道

Bio Sketch

Thelma Mariano is the author of Night Sky: a Selection of Tanka Poetry. She lives in Montreal and has published her tanka in literary journals as well as in various anthologies including Fire Pearls and Take Five: Best Contemporary Tanka.

One Man's Maple Moon: Old Wounds Tanka by Thelma Mariano

English Original

second time around --

you hold me tighter now 

even in sleep 

lest I visit the place 

where old wounds lie 

Short Masterpieces of the Human Heart, 2006

Thelma Mariano

 

Chinese Translation (Traditional)

這是第二次 --

為了不使我省視

舊傷所在之處

即使在睡眠中

現在你把我抱得更緊了

Chinese Translation (Simplified)

这是第二次 --

为了不使我省视

旧伤所在之处

即使在睡眠中

现在你把我抱得更紧了

Bio Sketch

Thelma Mariano is the author of Night Sky: a Selection of Tanka Poetry. She lives in Montreal and has published her tanka in literary journals as well as in various anthologies including Fire Pearls and Take Five: Best Contemporary Tanka.

One Man's Maple Moon: Faltering Light Tanka by Thelma Mariano

English Original

shadows

in the faltering light

press closer

filling the spaces

you left behind

Thelma Mariano

 

Chinese Translation (Traditional)

陰影

在搖晃的燈光下

擠壓貼近

並填滿你所留下

的空隙

Chinese Translation (Simplified)

阴影

在摇晃的灯光下

挤压贴近

并填满你所留下

的空隙

Bio Sketch

Thelma Mariano is the author of Night Sky: a Selection of Tanka Poetry. She lives in Montreal and has published her tanka in literary journals as well as in various anthologies including Fire Pearls and Take Five: Best Contemporary Tanka.

One Man's Maple Moon: Heavy Throb Tanka by Thelma Mariano

English Original

the heavy throb

of a diesel engine

long into night

comforts me in sleep --

the rhythm of your heart

Thelma Mariano

 

Chinese Translation (Traditional)

漫漫長夜

柴油機引擎

沉重的抽動聲音

安慰在睡夢中的我 --

你心跳的節奏

Chinese Translation (Simplified)

漫漫长夜

柴油机引擎

沉重的抽动声音

安慰在睡梦中的我 --

你心跳的节奏

Bio Sketch

Thelma Mariano is the author of Night Sky: a Selection of Tanka Poetry. She lives in Montreal and has published her tanka in literary journals as well as in various anthologies including Fire Pearls and Take Five: Best Contemporary Tanka.

One Man's Maple Moon: River's Song and Chopin Tanka by Thelma Mariano

English Original

the river’s song

blends with Chopin

in my ears

coaxing my spirit

from a boxed-in day

Thelma Mariano

 

Chinese Translation (Traditional)

河流之歌

與簫邦的音樂融入

在我的耳朵裡

它引誘受困日子中

我的心靈

Chinese Translation (Simplified)

河流之歌

与箫邦的音乐融入

在我的耳朵里

它引诱受困日子中

我的心灵

 

 

Bio Sketch

Thelma Mariano is the author of Night Sky: a Selection of Tanka Poetry. She lives in Montreal and has published her tanka in literary journals as well as in various anthologies including Fire Pearls and Take Five: Best Contemporary Tanka.

One Man's Maple Moon: Perfect Arc Tanka by Thelma Mariano

English Original

no answers

in the darkening sky

only my awe

at the perfect arc

of this rainbow

Thelma Mariano

 

Chinese Translation (Traditional)

黑暗的天空

沒有現存的答案

關於彩虹

的完美弧線

我只有敬畏

Chinese Translation (Simplified)

黑暗的天空

没有现存的答案

关于彩虹

的完美弧线

我只有敬畏

 

 

Bio Sketch

Thelma Mariano is the author of Night Sky: a Selection of Tanka Poetry. She lives in Montreal and has published her tanka in literary journals as well as in various anthologies including Fire Pearls and Take Five: Best Contemporary Tanka.

One Man's Maple Moon: Snow Banks Tanka by Thelma Mariano

English Original

tonight I walk

between glistening snow banks

past and future

the river so silent

as I choose my steps

Thelma Mariano

 

Chinese Translation (Traditional)

今晚我漫步

在閃閃發光的雪堤之間

思索過去和未來

當我決定自己的步伐時

發現這條河太安靜了

Chinese Translation (Simplified)

今晚我漫步

在闪闪发光的雪堤之间

思索过去和未来

当我决定自己的步伐时

发现这条河太安静了

 

 

Bio Sketch

Thelma Mariano is the author of Night Sky: a Selection of Tanka Poetry. She lives in Montreal and has published her tanka in literary journals as well as in various anthologies including Fire Pearls and Take Five: Best Contemporary Tanka.

One Man's Maple Moon: These Traces Tanka by Thelma Mariano

English Original

after you're gone

these traces of your scent

on my pillow

while outside the wind

howls a little louder

Fire Pearls, 2006

Thelma Mariano

 

Chinese Translation (Traditional)

自從你走後

你的氣味仍殘留

在我的枕頭上

此時外面的風

大聲呼嘯

Chinese Translation (Simplified)

自从你走后

你的气味仍残留

在我的枕头上

此时外面的风

大声呼啸

 

 

Bio Sketch

Thelma Mariano is the author of Night Sky: a Selection of Tanka Poetry. She lives in Montreal and has published her tanka in literary journals as well as in various anthologies including Fire Pearls and Take Five: Best Contemporary Tanka.

One Man's Maple Moon: Old Wounds Tanka by Thelma Mariano

English Original

second time around
you hold me tighter now
even in sleep
lest I visit the place
where old wounds lie

Fire Pearls, 2006

Thelma Mariano

 

Chinese Translation (Traditional)

這是第二次
即使在睡夢中
你緊緊抱住我
以免我重返
舊傷口所在之處

Chinese Translation (Simplified)

这是第二次
即使在睡梦中
你紧紧抱住我
以免我重返
旧伤口所在之处 

 

 

Bio Sketch

Thelma Mariano is the author of Night Sky: a Selection of Tanka Poetry. She lives in Montreal and has published her tanka in literary journals as well as in various anthologies including Fire Pearls and Take Five: Best Contemporary Tanka.

One Man's Maple Moon: Yellow Journal Tanka by Thelma Mariano

English Original

years of scribbling
in my yellow journal
locked away
what wind has opened
these pages to the world?

Thelma Mariano


Chinese Translation (Traditional)

鎖起來
的黃色日記中
有我多年的塗鴉
什麼風將這些內容
公諸於世？

Chinese Translation (Simplified)

锁起来
的黄色日记中
有我多年的涂鸦
什么风将这些内容
公诸于世？


Bio Sketch

Thelma Mariano is the author of Night Sky: a Selection of Tanka Poetry. She lives in Montreal and has published her tanka in literary journals as well as in various anthologies including Fire Pearls and Take Five: Best Contemporary Tanka.

One Man's Maple Moon: Store Display Tanka by Thelma Mariano

English Original

mannequins
trapped in their poses
in store display
I am so much more
than these roles I play

Thelma Mariano


Chinese Translation (Traditional)

在商店展示區
一群時裝模特兒
局限於固定的姿勢
比起我所扮演的這些角色   
我有更多的内涵

Chinese Translation (Simplified)

在商店展示区
一群时装模特儿
局限于固定的姿势
比起我所扮演的这些角色
我有更多的内涵


Bio Sketch

Thelma Mariano is the author of Night Sky: a Selection of Tanka Poetry. She lives in Montreal and has published her tanka in literary journals as well as in various anthologies including Fire Pearls and Take Five: Best Contemporary Tanka.