The mallard and the egret
Perch on the lake not far from the shoreline
Head toward the shallow bank, rocks, and reeds
A Chinese tallow shakes lightly, for hours 
The mallard sleeps, wearing 
Its old straw coat, the egret looks at it or swiftly
Tucks in a foot, faking for a bird’s-eye view
Over swishing water grasses, the sky translucent 
Blue as if in an ancient age
The egret and the mallard, between them the serenity
Set apart by daylight and pale shadows
Set apart by different spheres of time
The mallard suddenly flies away, its arrogant beak
And fat tail rising from the lake, leaving the egret
Which stands alone in a realm of ripples 
Above the lake the midday burns into stillness




野鸭与白鹭


野鸭和白鹭
停在离岸不远的湖中
头朝向浅岸,石头还有芦苇
一棵乌桕微微晃动,几个小时
野鸭在睡，穿着那件
老旧的蓑衣，白鹭注视着它
或轻灵地收起一只脚，佯装俯瞰
水草摇曳，天空湛蓝
像在某种远古的时间里
白鹭和野鸭，它们之间的静谧
隔着白光和灰暗的倒影
隔着不同的时代
突然野鸭飞走了，傲慢的嘴
肥硕的尾，从湖面上升起
只留下白鹭，独自站在一片涟漪里
湖面之上是正午酷热的寂静