Page 126 - Dragon&Fairy in Poetry

Dragon & Fairy In Poetry

MY SHADOW

Original “Chiếc Bóng” by TAM GIANG

You are my shadow personally concerned
From uncountable eons that has here returned.
Overloaded with misfortune to the shore of delusion,
I had ducked with others freely all life in illusion.
But why my karma is still so heavy as a chain:
Ties of affection, marriage bonds still constrain!
Strengthening to crumble my mind and soul
And my remaining body with damage and dole,
From nowadays until when? thousand a year?
Who knows whom to ask why it is so – Oh, dear!
That is predestined marriage, preordained forever!
In next incarnation I shall not smile/greet whoever
For fear of meeting again with a grace so gray
As to bear a whole life a bridge that will give way.

Translation by THANH-THANH

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