Fragrant Leaves in a Chinese Vase

By Cheng Lie

Mixed with a trance-like pale yellow
of the evening, another sunset
is approaching four faces leisurely near open doorways of square streets;
at the final place where breeze not captured, the dark walls
just as if the scene at dusk reflected off your face.
A building slowly descending from the sky
is where the mortal body tirelessly reincarnates.
A friendly lute boosts the boring summer--
the flourishing roots in the South
more quietly stirring up the scent of drooping buds.
Round arms construct a yearning for cloisters
---they're special privileges of a girl's affections;
in the month of the match when flesh vs. flesh
it's leisurely and comfortable that horizon trembles with
and over the time's castles everywhere.
Once again, I adore it and stop to watch,
at the initial moment when trap is set
a door open and closed.
It's a vibrant color flame-like
in an attic bedroom for an earliest sleeping also at last.
Something more familiar than stars
fragrant leaves in a Chinese vase.

2004/ translated by Chen Zihong

一只中国花瓶里芳香的叶片

程烈

另一个落日
混同黄昏销魂的亚麻色，
散漫地迫近四方街敞开门道的四张脸；
在未捕捉微风的最后据点，黝黑的墙垣
宛如拂在脸上一阵世界的迟暮。
款款步下苍穹的屋宇
是身体不知疲倦的轮回所在，
亲切的六弦琴提升百无聊赖的夏季——
南方枝繁叶茂的根基
如此隐蔽地催动蓓蕾低垂的芬芳，
浑圆手臂搭成了无限眷恋的回廊
——属于一位姑娘爱的特权；
肉体与肉体的对局的月份
是无所不在时间要塞上
地平线颤抖的一声安逸！
再一次倾心、驻足
在布下陷阱原初的时刻，
有一扇房门开启又紧闭
火焰般明净。
在最早，也是最晚睡下的阁楼里
还有比繁星更让人熟悉的
一只中国花瓶里芳香的叶片。

2004年