Source: https://www.carol-writingspace.com/blog/09cbffc5d26
Category: Poetry
Rating: General
Written by Carol Jin
Translated by Donald Wen
is this snow oft black? asked the bonfire
it was just lit—presently
burning with ardour—
of course not. i answered
too black was the night, just so
had the snow been stained
i don’t think so. said the bonfire
perhaps the snow was always dark
but look and see
how remarkably i burn
perchance i could ignite the nearby snow
and give it colour
you could certainly try. said i
thus scattering sparks of bonfire, like
stars on a fabric of sky,
flew to ev'ry corner of the night
but then
as sparks brushed against snow
at once
they were put out
like at dawn the next day
on ground a pile of ashes
it surveyed its sides
mustered its last extinguishing vigour
asked me
is this snow here ever white?
and i said
it is
this snow is everwhite.