津巴布韦的晚霞

[原創] 韓亦言 版權所有(c)
定稿於2011-03-22

從這首詩，可以感到非洲大地上的春風，可以聞到茉莉撲鼻的芳香。
故嘗試翻譯，供參考。


當他們呼喊著自由
熏木的煙霧 混雜著
茉莉的芳香和灰塵 -
青草 花崗石 羚羊骨 -
匯聚到手碗
血的顏色變得鮮亮
血色的記憶暗淡了 -
當他們大聲唱的那首歌
在非洲回蕩的時候 我熟悉

Sibanda曾蹲在洗菜房外
邊擦家人的鞋子邊教著我
我倆都穿著過於肥大的黃褐色褲子
光著脊梁 光著腳
他擦著 我將唾沫吐在鞋頭上
他擦著 我們唱著
"上帝保佑非洲 ...
擡起她的頭"
一遍又一遍 直到
八月的鳥兒飛來一起唱

今年八月 我意識到
茉莉盛開 沈寂的空氣
充滿了熏木的煙霧 -
他們是如何呼喊自由
我是怎樣學會他們的歌 -
寫這首詩時
我的孩子們蹲在身旁
持久的寒氣
把津巴布韋的晚霞
抹在他們的臉頰上

這也是孩子們的歌
我一遍遍地教他們
直到疲勞的雙眼
充滿了淚水 迷人的煙霧
灰塵和茉莉的芳香

注：2017-11-21再發表時將原標題“茉莉”改為“津巴布韦的晚霞“。祝賀津巴布韦的人民。

Jasmine

by John Eppel

When they cried freedom, when the sweet
mingling of woodsmoke and jasmine
with dust – grass, granite, antelope
bone – gathered into wrists which turned

light the colour of blood, darkness
a memory of the colour
of blood – when their voices lifted
that song and sent it echoing

across Africa, I knew it.
Sibanda had taught it to me,
polishing the family's shoes,
squatting outside the scullery

door. We both wore khaki trousers
many sizes too big; no shirt,
no shoes. I spat on the toecaps
while he brushed: and while he brushed

we sang: 'Nkosi sikelel'
iAfrika…' over and over
till the birds joined in. August birds.
'… Maluphakanisw' udumo lwayo …' *

It comes back to me, this August,
now that the jasmine is blooming
and the air is stilled by woodsmoke;
how they cried freedom, and how I

knew their song. A lingering chill
pinches Zimbabwean sunsets
into the cheeks of my children
squatting beside me as I write.

It is their song too. I teach it
to them, over and over, till
my tired eyes are pricked with tears
held back, sweet smoke, dust and jasmine.

*(Zulu) "God bless Africa … Raise up her spirit."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/booksblog/2010/jul/12/jasmine-john-eppel-poetry

Disclaimer: The poem and my translation in this blog is purely for my personal use. The copyright belongs to the original author and publisher, and it must not be violated. Thank you.