Yang Lian

You’re right    in life’s chamber music either listen with total attention    or else switch off Water    one drop can perfectly lock up these shores The crash of waves has no gap    is like a tailored body still sitting on the rock    the lilac-scented surrounding ocean still striking at a little girl’s unceasing gaze into distance Purple or white    petals are stored in the eyes all through the springtime night, dark rings around the eyes keep opening    torn by where she looks far away Suffering is that waiting, underwater pearl what turns old is salt    low sobbing in every wave The fierce wind is a jade bracelet on the wrist Island    like a boat sailing since the day you were born never slowing down its disconsolate speed always arriving yet, underfoot, drawn away by the ebbing tide Purple    wounds the turbulent, close-up scene sets off white    the horizon like land cutting, above snow line, into fate exposing the snow flower you’ve caught for life Still wet    tears run halfway down the girl’s cheeks After so many years play the cold rain you’ve brought back A seagull plunges    then flies back up    You hear clearly this kiss