Elementary Chinese

Fire hung on a nail makes a lamp;

two moons, a friend.

A thing that is not bark is a glass;

two trees, a wood; three trees, a forest.

Ten mouths make a leaf,

a ladybird is a worm that floats.

A woman with a horse is a mother,

a bird wearing armour is a duck.

A fish needs three drops of water.

The sea: a mother wearing a hat

by the waves.

Thought is composed of strength

from a tree, clear sight, and anchored

by a heart.

​

汉字入门

灯是钉上悬的火

朋如双月相作伴

玉杯非木可雕琢

双木能成林，聚木再成森

叶有十口

虫飘成瓢

牵马在侧，女为人母

甲胄加身，鸟却成鸭

鱼无水，难为渔

海是头戴斗笠的母亲

拦波而望

那一丝念想，正是根的

力量，如水的目光，牵挂于

心锚之上

（澳洲）Eileen Chong（张奕霖）诗

黄杨勋译

译文定稿于2019.09.26

原创作品，如需转载请注明出处与作（译）者

Eileen Chong is a poet who was born in Singapore of Chinese descent. She is the author of eight books. Her work has shortlisted for several awards, including the Anne Elder Award, the Victorian Premier’s Literary Award, the NSW Premier’s Literary Award, and twice for the Prime Minister’s Literary Award. She lives and works in Sydney, Australia.

Eileen Chong 中文名张奕霖，新加坡华裔，已出版八部作品。曾获多个奖项提名，包括安妮·埃尔德诗歌奖、维州州长文学奖、新州州长文学奖，以及两次总理文学奖提名。她在澳大利亚生活和工作。