Our February featured poet seeks and muses through the dreamscapes of Montana, Barcelona, Istanbul, and a starry night.
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I, a Nobody from the East
I, a nobody from the east,
look through the window and gaze at the moon.
The moon, so bright and so cold,
accompanied by ephemeral stars,
yet looks like a crystal tear drop on the dark cheek of a young widow.
What if the galaxy is a spit of blood of a dying poet?
But where is the pen,
and where is the poem?
I, a nobody from the east,
look through the window and gaze at the moon.
The moon, so proud and so pale,
accompanied by ephemeral clouds,
yet looks like a forgotten pearl fallen from someone’s wedding gown.
What if dusk and dawn are rouge on a maiden’s innocent cheek?
But where is the dream, and where is the ring?
~~~
The Gap between Life and Death
I once had one million dreams in my dark dark night,
One million dreams with one million colours.
And one eagle rules one million mountains and seas.
But now through the mirror I see wrinkles crawl upon my face,
And worldly sorrows crawl upon my heart.
I once loved some passers-by in my bold journey
Some bright and some sad,
And some walked into the Mecca of my heart and kindled the light.
But now through the window I see a crowded solitude adorned by statues,
Statues made from human bones and ashes.
I once believed dreams were to be cherished and people were to be loved.
One million dreams for one person,
and one million persons for one dream.
But now through the gap of life and death I see struggles and I hear cries,
Is it a life of death or the death of life?
~~~
In a Morning Winter Dew I Took a Glance at Istanbul
In a morning winter dew,
I took a glance at Istanbul.
Stars bid farewell,
To December dawn on eastern hill.
From the pale eastern hill,
I took a glance at Istanbul.
Leaves bid farewell,
To the old tree of emerald hue.
In a dream within a dream,
In Istanbul I recognized you.
In the oceans of swirling people,
The Blue Mosque stood still.
The Marmara sea flew,
The wind sang with sorrow.
Under 7000 stars,
Under the silent purple sky.
In a morning winter dew,
I took a glance at Istanbul.
Stars bid farewell,
To December dawn on eastern hill.
~~~
Walking Alone through the Pebbly Mountain Side
Walking alone through the pebbly mountain side,
Where I can temporarily ignore the hustle and bustle of modern life.
Splendid is the scene of the blazing city,
And tipsy is the one who is weeping under the shadow of night.
From afar I saw the hill which was like a blushing bride,
Hidden under a veil of mist but then I heard a sigh.
Wind was blowing and blowing like it was thousands of years ago,
And the river meandering like the youth passing by
Lonely is the life of those who still faithfully abide,
As the mountain chains remain silent and still wait side by side.
There is something drenched in my melancholy and painted by uncertainty,
Which has made me mute and blank before I can describe.
~~~
Born and bred in Shanghai, 郝一琼 Hao Yiqiong is a Master’s student in theoretical and applied linguistics. The poem “Walking Alone Through the Pebbly Mountainside” was composed during her trip in Glacier National Park, Montana, USA. The poem “I, a Nobody from the East” was composed during her sojourn in Barcelona. “The Gap between Life and Death” and “In a Morning Winter Dew I Took a Glance at Istanbul” were composed when the author was residing in Istanbul, inspired by the profound cultural heritage there.
Spittoon Monthly publishes one exceptional short story or set of poems on the first Monday of every month. Click here to submit your work.