ode to the oka

If I fall in love with you

I will never resemble

Clambering trumpet creeper,

To flaunt myself by your high branches.

我如果爱你

绝不像攀缘的凌霄花，

借你的高枝炫耀自己；

If I fall in love with you-

I will never imitate spoony birds,

To repeat simple songs for green shade.

我如果爱你

绝不学痴情的鸟儿，

为绿荫重复单调的歌曲；

I will not only resemble a wellspring,

To bring you cool consolation perennially:

I will not only resemble steepy mountains,

To increase your altitude

Or set off your dignified manner.

也不止像泉源，

常年送来清凉的慰藉：

也不止像险峰，

增加你的高度，衬托你的威仪。

Even not only sunlight,

Even not only spring rain,

No, these are not enough!

I must be a kapok beside you,

As an image of tree I stand with you.

甚至日光。

甚至春雨。

不，这些都还不够！

我必须是你近旁的一株木棉，

作为树的形象和你站在一起。

Our roots hold tightly in the earth,

Our leaves touch gently in the clouds,

As each breeze passes,

We salute each other,

But no one can understand our own words.

根，紧握在地下，

叶，相触在云里。

每一阵风过，我们都互相致意，

但没有人听懂我们的言语。

You have your iron trunk

And copper branch

Like a knife,

A sword and a halberd as well;

I have my red and big flowers,

Like a heavy sigh

And a heroic torch as well.

你有你的铜枝铁干，

像刀，像剑，也像戟；

我有我的红硕花朵，

像沉重的叹息，又像英勇的火炬。

Together we partake cold waves,

Storms and firebolts;

Together we share fogs,

Flowing hazes and rainbows,

We seem always apart,

But interdependent all life long.

我们分担寒潮、风雷、霹雳；

我们共享雾霭、流岚、虹霓，

仿佛永远分离，却又终身相依。

Only this is great love,

Faithfulness lies here:

I love not only your gigantic stature,

But also the position you uphold,

And the earth on which you stand.

这才是伟大的爱情，

坚贞就在这里：

不仅爱你伟岸的身躯，

也爱你坚持的位置，

脚下的土地。