Poetry Thursday - Bei Dao: Poet of Exile
Old Snow
Bei Dao
When the snow receives an ancient language
maps of national territories change shape
on this continent
snow shows deep concern
for a foreigner's small room
Before my door
lies a three metre long steel rail
Factories go bankrupt, governments fall
outdated newspapers converge
into a decomposed ocean
old snow comes constantly, new snow comes not at all
the art of creation is lost
windows retreat
....five magpies fly past
Unexpected sunlight is an event
Green frogs start their hibernation
the postmen's strike drags on
no news of any kind
Bei Dao
When the snow receives an ancient language
maps of national territories change shape
on this continent
snow shows deep concern
for a foreigner's small room
Before my door
lies a three metre long steel rail
Factories go bankrupt, governments fall
outdated newspapers converge
into a decomposed ocean
old snow comes constantly, new snow comes not at all
the art of creation is lost
windows retreat
....five magpies fly past
Unexpected sunlight is an event
Green frogs start their hibernation
the postmen's strike drags on
no news of any kind
posted by Out Of Jersey | 6:30 PM
6 Comments:
CR,
Thank you for introducing me to this talented man's work. Such a picture he has painted, a mood he has conveyed. Also, thanks for the link--so interesting learning about the man behind the words.
P.S. When are you going to publish more of your own poetry? I'm getting antsy here.
sometime soon, I promise.
the images...amazing. thank you for introducing me to this poet...
Great sound rolls through there.
I am glad people were receptive to his work. I know it can be a bit thick at times.
You picked one of my favorite Bei Dao poems. I think this particular piece was written to be chanted from within a cubicle.
--from another cubicle
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