Saturday, November 18, 2017

One Man's Maple Moon: Tie Tanka by Alan Summers

English Original

this tie
or that tie
I think you'd prefer
the louder one
at your funeral

Ripples in the Sand, 2016

Alan Summers


Chinese Translation (Traditional)

這條領帶
或者那條領帶
在你的葬禮
我想你會喜歡穿帶
比較花俏的那一條

Chinese Translation (Simplified)

这条领带
或者那条领带
在你的葬礼
我想你会喜欢穿带
比较花俏的那一条


Bio Sketch

Alan Summers, Japan Times award-winning writer, is the incoming President of the United Haiku and Tanka Society. He enjoys French and Indian cuisine; and scrambled or poached eggs with spinach for breakfast. His book Writing Poetry: the haiku way is due out during 2017.  Blog:http://area17.blogspot.com

2 comments:

  1. The unexpected yet thematically significant and emotionally powerful shift in the lower verse reveals something important about the addressee's personality and his relationship with the speaker, opening up an interpretative space for the reader's engagement.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Many thanks for translating this tanka poem which featured in the Tanka Society of America anthology:

    Ripples in the Sand, 2016
    http://www.tankasocietyofamerica.org/tsa-anthologies

    It's been an increasing tradition, in England, and possibly other parts of the U.K., that many people have a wish for people to wear bright items of clothing at funerals and have a great time, when possible, and in and out of tears, to celebrate the passing of a loved one's life with humour and anecdotes.

    warm regards,
    Alan

    ReplyDelete