[原創(chuàng)] 韓亦言 版權(quán)所有(c)
定稿于2011-04-06
從這首詩(shī)， 可以感到非洲大地上的春風(fēng)， 可以聞到茉莉撲鼻的芳香。
故嘗試翻譯, 供參考。
當(dāng)他們呼喊著自由
熏木的煙霧 混雜著
茉莉的芳香和塵土 -
青草 花崗石 羚羊骨 -
匯聚到手碗
血的顏色變得鮮亮
血色的記憶暗淡了 -
當(dāng)他們大聲唱的那首歌
在非洲大地回蕩的時(shí)刻 我熟悉
思班達(dá)曾蹲在洗菜房外
邊擦家人的鞋子邊教我
我倆都穿著過于肥大的黃褐色褲子
光著脊梁 光著腳
他擦著 我將唾沫吐在鞋頭上
他擦著 我們唱著
"上帝保佑非洲 ...
昂起她的頭"
一遍又一遍 直到
八月的鳥兒飛來(lái)一起高歌
今年八月 我意識(shí)到
茉莉盛開 沉寂的空氣
充滿了熏木的煙霧 -
他們是如何呼喊自由
我是怎樣學(xué)會(huì)他們的歌 -
寫這首詩(shī)時(shí)
我的孩子們蹲在身旁
持久的寒氣
將津巴布韋的晚霞
抹在他們的臉頰上
這也是孩子們的歌
我一遍遍地教他們唱
直到疲勞的雙眼
充滿了淚水 迷人的煙霧
灰塵和茉莉的芳香
-----------------------------
Jasmine by John Eppel
When they cried freedom, when the sweet
mingling of woodsmoke and jasmine
with dust – grass, granite, antelope
bone – gathered into wrists which turned
light the colour of blood, darkness
a memory of the colour
of blood – when their voices lifted
that song and sent it echoing
across Africa, I knew it.
Sibanda had taught it to me,
polishing the family's shoes,
squatting outside the scullery
door. We both wore khaki trousers
many sizes too big; no shirt,
no shoes. I spat on the toecaps
while he brushed: and while he brushed
we sang: 'Nkosi sikelel'
iAfrika…' over and over
till the birds joined in. August birds.
'… Maluphakanisw' udumo lwayo …' *
It comes back to me, this August,
now that the jasmine is blooming
and the air is stilled by woodsmoke;
how they cried freedom, and how I
knew their song. A lingering chill
pinches Zimbabwean sunsets
into the cheeks of my children
squatting beside me as I write.
It is their song too. I teach it
to them, over and over, till
my tired eyes are pricked with tears
held back, sweet smoke, dust and jasmine.
*(Zulu) "God bless Africa … Raise up her spirit."
Published on http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/booksblog/2010/jul/12/jasmine-john-eppel-poetry
Disclaimer: The poem and my translation in this blog is purely for mypersonal use. The copyright belongs to the original author andpublisher, and it must not be violated. Thank you.
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