A Pomegranate

By Zhang Dan

Washing it, then slice a pomegranate.
Like Autumn cuts Summer with a knife.
With blade shining cold on it, the structure of time
appears from succulent and garnet gems.
The seeds of joy are similar, but different are sorrows.
It is separated by thin membranes, so not real is the connection.
So long being the symbols, we lost courage into world of concrete.
If so, put all this in the juicer.
Stop writing, it doesn't verge into loving.

  English translated by Chen Zihong

***

石榴

张丹

洗好石榴，用刀切它。
仿佛秋天，切一个夏天。
从霜刃冷白的光中，石榴内部
暗红多汁的时间结构显出。
快乐颗颗相同，悲愁各异。
薄膜隔绝了太多，相互理解并不真实。
我们依靠象征久了，失去写实的勇气。
把这些，都投进榨汁机吧。
停止写作，爱不再可能了。