Fan Jinghua: Lover’s Day

　　Lover’s Day

At this moment raindrops are throwing themselves
Down on broad leaves
I am imaging that the pulse of my call reaches your bedstand
No voice
But raindrops only
Two hellos are followed by
Who-do-you-want and Who-is-that
In lowered voice, the second softer than the first
And then you seem to hear a pattering sound
No voice
You hold the receiver close to your ear
After a while
Very lightly
You hang up the phone
It is after midnight but daybreak is still far away
The tired one beside you
Grumbles Who-calls-at-such-an-hour
And turns to sleep again
You mutter as if to yourself:
A nerd who does not sleep
　　　　　　　　　　Feb. 12, 2008

St Valentine’s Day is translated into Chinese as Lover’s Day情人节, but the Chinese for “lover” here (情人) implies more of an extramarital partner than of a steady date or the spouse. The mean of lover in Chinese should be “beloved” or “the loved one” (爱人), which about three decades ago refers to one’s spouse. In recent years, many hotels are catering for the fad by promoting “one-night-stay,” which was impossible some twenty years ago because at that time no one could check into a hotel in the city into which their permanent residences is registered while everyone had to produce identity card (with address) to book a hotel room. Of course, St Valentine's Day is now celebrated by almost all the people who have (been) learned of it, especially young lovers. As for the "concubines," they are made to be aware of their status because the men have to go back to their wives. haha.

　　情人的节
此刻雨点扑打树叶
我想象着电话脉冲抵达了你的床头柜
没有言语
只送去雨声
而你两声“喂”之后，稍带不耐烦的低问
“你找谁”
然后你似乎听到一种啪啪的声音
“哪位”
仍没有言语
而你将话筒贴在耳朵上
一会儿之后
轻轻地
挂了
早已过了夜半，而天亮尚远
你身边那个倦怠的人
含糊地问“谁啊”
转身继续睡去
你自语“一个不睡觉的神经病”
　　　　　2008年2月13日