Friday, December 15, 2017

XU LIZHI ~






I Know A Day Will Come


I know a day will come

when those I know and don't know

will enter my room

to collect my remains

and wash the darkened blood stains I've shed across the floor

rearrange the upturned able and chairs

toss out the moldering garbage

take in the clothing from the balcony

someone will help me write the poem I didn't have time to finish

someone will help me read the book I didn't have time to finish

someone will help me light the candle I didn't have time to light

last will be the curtains that haven't been opened for years

someone will help me open them, and let the sunlight in for a while

they will be closed again, and nailed there deathly tight

the whole process will be orderly and solemn

when everything is tidy

they will all line up to leave

and help me quietly shut the door


——————————————

from "Six Poems of Labor & Desperation"
translated from the Chinese by Eleanor Goodman

      XU LIZHI   (1990-2014)