Li Yiliang: Listening to Xiaoqi Reading his Poems

　　听诗人晓棋朗诵
　　　　　（赠晓棋之一）
　　　　　　　李以亮 (1966-)
那时候我多希望我就是你
——微醺
仿佛每个在座的听众都是知音
仿佛每个洗耳恭听的女士都是恋人

那时候我多希望我就是那首诗的作者
不著名但已有了足够的理由飞扬与自雄

请允许我模仿你的样子清嗓停顿高声宣布开始朗诵
请理解诗人在朗诵的中途因酒力失忆并坚决地从头开始

仿佛另起一行

那时候我多希望我就是全场唯一的评委
亮出全场唯一的最高分

“诗人们将重要性归之于奖项和成功”*
那时候，我相信他们的误解比我们还深
　　　　　　
原注*引自扎加耶夫斯基的诗《中国诗》。
　　　　　　　　　　2008.11.20.

　　Listening to Xiaoqi Reading his Poems
　　　　　　　　　By Li Yiliang　　tr. Fan Jinghua
At that moment how I wish I were you
--A little intoxicated
As if every listener there knows the tone of your chord
As if every lady sits with all ears in your heart

At that moment how I wish I were the author of the poem
Not known to all but having enough reasons to fly and self-accolade

Please allow me to copy the way you clear the throat, pause, and
Announce in an unflinching voice that you are about to read
Please forgive the poet who insists on starting over from the first line
When his wine-drowned memory does not follow up

The next line seems to be a new start

At that moment how I wish I were the only judge
Who gives the one and only highest score

"Poets attribute importance to prizes and successes"
At that moment I believe their misreading is deeper than ours

Author’s Note: The quote is from Zagajewski’s poem “Chinese Poem.”
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　Nov. 20, 2008