TheChampaFlower
SupposingIbecameachampaflower, justforfun, andgrewonabranchhighupthattree, andshookinthewindwithlaughteranddanceduponthenewlybuddedleaves, wouldyouknowme, mother?
Youwouldcall, “Baby, whereareyou?” andIshouldlaughtomyselfandkeepquitequiet.
Ishouldslylyopenmypetalsandwatchyouatyourwork.
Whenafteryourbath, withwethairspreadonyourshoulders, youwalkedthroughtheshadowofthechampatreetothelittlecourtwhereyousayyourprayers, youwouldnoticethescentoftheflower, butnotknowthatitcamefromme.
WhenafterthemiddaymealyousatatthewindowreadingRamayana, andthetree’sshadowfelloveryourhairandyourlap, Ishouldflingmyweelittleshadowontothepageofyourbook, justwhereyouwerereading,
Butwouldyouguessthatitwasthetinyshadowofyourlittlechild?
Whenintheeveningyouwenttothecowshedwiththelightedlampinyourhand, Ishouldsuddenlydropontotheearthagainandbeyourownbabyoncemore, andbegyoutotellmeastory.
“Wherehaveyoubeen, younaughtychild?”
“Iwon’ttellyou, mother.”That’swhatyouandIwouldsaythen.
金色花
如果我变成了一朵金色花,仅仅为了好玩,长在那高高的枝头,笑着摇曳在风中,又舞动在新生的叶上,母亲,你会认得我吗?
你若是叫道:“宝贝,你在哪儿?”我偷偷地笑,不发出一点儿声音。
我会静静地绽放花瓣,看着你工作。
当你沐浴完毕,湿湿的头发散在两肩,穿过金色花的树影,走到你做祷告的小庭院时,你会闻到这花儿的香气,却不知道这香气是从我的身上散发出来的。
午饭后,你坐在窗前读《罗摩衍那》,那棵树的阴影落到你的头发与膝盖之间,我会在你的书页上、在你正读着的地方投下我的稚影。
可是你会猜到这就是你的小孩的稚影吗?
黄昏时,你拿着灯去牛棚,于是,我突然又落到地上,再变成你的孩子,要你讲个故事给我听。
“你去哪儿了,你这淘气的孩子?”
“我不告诉你,妈妈。”这便是你和我要说的话。
Fairyland
Ifpeoplecametoknowwheremyking’spalaceis, itwouldvanishintotheair.
Thewallsareofwhitesilverandtheroofofshininggold.