Thursday, October 19, 2017

One Man's Maple Moon: Hometown Tanka by Jackson Smith

English Original

back in my hometown
for the first time in years
I get lost ...
two roads divide,
but the woods are still green

Jackson Smith


Chinese Translation (Traditional)

幾年來第一次
回到我的家鄉
我卻迷路了 ...
兩條路分岔開來,
但路旁的樹林依舊翠綠

Chinese Translation (Simplified)

几年来第一次
回到我的家乡
我却迷路了 ...
两条路分岔开来,
但路旁的树林依旧翠绿


Bio Sketch

Jackson Smith is a writer and homemaker from Chicago, Il. He is a grateful heart transplant recipient. He first started writing to cope with isolation during the time in the hospital spent waiting for a new heart to become available. 

1 comment:

  1. Th upper verse effectively establishes the thematic and emotional context while the lower verse's optimistic twist on the Frostian theme adds metaphorical significance and philosophical depth to the poem, reminding me of one of my award-winning haiku:

    a fork in the road ...
    standing still to hear
    the leaves

    Honorable Mention, 2010 Winter Moon Awards for Haiku

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