TWO POEMS BY GU SONG

Translated by Gu Song

POEMS AND TANKS

Poem running amuck carrying tanks
Frightens history to crying.
It fires from the madman's mouth.
Every time it changes to a new century.

The glory of living
Is only a metaphor of the reason for death.
The pledge of truth
Is the most widely used inscription on tomb tablet.

Though for every generation,
I have the pass of transmigration,
After this life I plan to fly all the time
In the channel of time.

(Composed in 2002)

POEMS ALSO SEEK THEIR ROOTS

Hey, friend,
Have you asked yourself
For whom you have written poems?
I have asked.
I answer myself
Go and ask the poems,
Ask them for whom were they born?

Poems
For whom were you born?
Have you asked?
I have asked.
The poems answered:
Go and ask those
Who are moved.

(Composed in 2002)