Fan Jinghua: In the Dead of Summer Night

　　In the Dead of Summer Night

In the hottest city besieged by dry thunders, the moat lies
Stagnant with a film, willows drooping by the openings of steaming alleys,
Green but half-withered, like punctured love.
All the doorways are dead till bats fly out at dusk.

This is not a day to lit candles. If music is to meow,
Let it startle no snake eyes or donkey ears.
When I sit long enough, I may drain away along the floorboard
Like moonlight, and the threshold is no hold. You may as well take it
As menses, but, please, keep aside a candle, for when I come back,
I will enter another room where only your shadow may dwell.

After 2 am, I only need cooled water, and for three short hours
Before day strikes its match and your smile, I am not in my flesh.
For three times a night, you convert to my demon and savior,
While no star will reveal to another how chillingly dark its core is.
　　　　　　　　　　　　July 13, 2008

　　　夏夜的死寂中

城市上空干雷交错，护城河结一层薄膜，
冒着蒸汽的巷口，柳树们垂头，绿
但卷着叶子，如丧气的爱情气球。
所有的门廊死寂，没有鸦雀，直到
黄昏将临，蝙蝠飞出。

这样的日子不适于点蜡烛。如果音乐必须
发出猫叫声，愿它别惊动蛇的眼睛和驴的耳朵。
我坐够了，自然会淌掉，沿着木地板，
像月光一样，而门槛无法阻止它的流逸。
你可视之为月经，但是请你为我留一支蜡烛，
当我再次回来，我将进入另一间屋子，
在那里，你将只能以影子的形式与我共处。

两点过后，我只需要凉开水，我有三个钟头不在
肉身中，直到白昼擦亮它的火柴与你的笑容。
一夜有三次钟声，把你化为我的恶魔和救主，
而每一颗星都坚持闪亮，不愿向另一颗透露
它的心底多么黑暗、阴冷。
　　　　　　　　　2008年7月14日