Fan Jinghua: Chinese Spirits for An American Lady

　　Chinese Spirits for An American Lady
　　　　　　For J. W.

You are not armed for this yet,
This bottle of liquor with a cap of pewter
Screwed tight around its neck.
You are not used to opening it
With your teeth;
You are not ready for that.

You say you do not go alcoholic in the States
But tasting Chinese spirits would be something
You could boast
When you go back.
So I lend you not my hand but my teeth
And spare you the searching for a Swiss knife.

Before I can warn, you have already gargled
The colorless liquid into your mouth
The way your people drink beer,
Not the way we sip.
"Oh, so strong is the kick!"
You tear, you snivel, and you dribble.

We are planning an evening out in the lingering light,
And in America, a day is breaking.
For many Chinese, your given name is associated with love
Through a novel, but few think of the origin of your family name.
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　April 1995

Note: This is the first poem I wrote in English. It was inspired by an American visiting teacher from Elon University, NC, to the Chinese university I taught.



　　美国女士的中国白酒
　　　　为J. W. 而作

你没有相关配备
这酒瓶
有白铁的盖子紧紧地压在瓶颈
你还没有学会
像他们那样使用牙齿

你说你并不喝酒精
但是来到中国你必须尝一口中国白酒
才会有本钱向你的同胞吹嘘
于是我借出了我的牙齿
免了你到处寻找瑞士军刀

我还没来得及警告
你已举瓶仰头将那无色液体倒进喉咙
犹如你的国人喝着啤酒
而非我们的小酌
“啊，够冲，够劲”
你淌眼泪，流鼻涕，拖着口水

那时夕阳正艳丽，我们在计划夜晚的去处
而你的故乡新的一天就要开始
大多数中国人都是因为一本小说而喜欢你的闺名
而少有人知道你的姓氏并不那么温和