Page 95 - Dragon&Fairy in Poetry

Thanh Thanh

MAY THIS LIFE CHANGE

Original “Xin Đổi Kiếp Này” by
NGUYỄN BÍCH NGÂN

I wish to be a tree, if this human life may change,
To test the axe hack my body deeply at any range;
In the flickering fire sea, taste myself burnt smelling;
Suffer dictatorship; try to live loyal against quelling.

If this human life may change, I wish to be a field,
To bear pesticides; choke to reek of chemicals sealed;
Sustain storms, stingers, caterpillars, even drought;
Abide saline flow, floods, volcano, tsunamis that rout.

To be an ocean, if this human life may change, I wish
To stand strong oil spread, malodorous drifting fish;
Grieve at exhausted resources, sad I am unable to say;
Make efforts to strain; writhe with pain to rise my
way.

I wish, if this human life may change, well, to be air
To essay forever smoke, dust; stifling noons to bear;
Challenge stuffy atmosphere caused by selfish gangs;
Brook deafening noises; stay Death that ready hangs.

Still being in this human life, what shall I have to do?
How much have I received? How to repay? To who?
What have I destroyed? Repentant have I ever to be?
To change this life! Will Mother Nature satisfy me?

Translation by THANH-THANH

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