Australian
Poetry Collaboration
#37
A SELECTION OF WORK FROM EAST
& SOUTH
EAST ASIAN
PLUS E/SE ASIAN BORN
OCEANIA-RESIDENT CONTEMPORARY POETS
Edited by Christine Peiying Chen & Les Wicks
FEATURING: M.K Ajay, Cao Shui, Caiyan Che, Christine Pei Ying Chen,
Felix Cheung, Frank Dong, Enya, Fang Langzhou, Helen Jia, Jie Ran Wang, Jin Jin,
Lan Mu, Li Li, Li Zhongquan, Shijing Liao, Meijia Lian, Breanna Lilly, Yuhang Liu,
Lu Wentao, Raymond Ren,
Sou Vai Keng, Adarshani R Sharma, Tang Ying Xia,
Altynai Temirova, Phu-Linh Tran,Alan
Wu, Zi Fei Yu, Xiaochun Liang,
Xing-Mai, Zhang Lizhong & WenZheng Zhu
Archived in Pandora
from Meuse Press –
https://meusepress.tripod.com/Meuse.htm
IN COLLABORATIOIN WITH
WORLD POETRY MOVEMENT – OCEANIA
¯
M.K Ajay
Poets Colonising Mars
Stealthy is the cat of siestas,
bio machine, Egyptian goddess
with aluminium whiskers buried in swamps,
amid rectangle mansions,
glasshouse cacti, cloned golden retrievers.
And around the cat are craters, red tiles
floating like feathers, sheer red oceans
of effortless solitude, a writing cabin.
Children stop and run among those craters
stop and run
as dragonflies do.
First published in Clawing into Water’s Skin Poetrywala
¯
Cao Shui
Mermaid
I walk along carrying an injured fish.
This pot only fits one fish.
How was it that the fish was injured?
I too want to know the answer.
Only an examination will reveal the truth.
I traveled past mountain ranges, bodies of water,
I travel through centuries, millenia.
Great rivers cut through deep valleys.
One night I fell into flooding waters.
The fish jumped out from the jar.
I could only stare as she left.
People say I'm affable.
The fish now becomes a mermaid
with servant girls by her side.
A waning moon sits upon my head.
The mermaid ascends the moon.
A drop of fragrant dew drops down.
I extended my hands to catch it
and suddenly understood life that's passed,
life that comes.
¯
Caiyan Che
Inheritance Through Commemoration
——For the Music Lecture In Memory of the Maestro Mr Ke-chang Lin
In the melodious and elegant sound of
the three -hundred -year -old violin
I saw you smiling and walking
from Heaven above
Full of immortal music
Waving your hands gratefully
Sending heartfelt thanks to us
Excitedly shedding tears
In the church fully seated
We hearing the touching stories
Told by the aged violinist
How noble and elegant meetings
Happening to the two great masters
How important role the Maestro Mr Lin has played
In pushing the Butterfly Lovers——
This New Chinese excellent Violin Concerto
To the Elegant World Music Stage
How amazingly I enjoyed All these beautiful melodies
Played by Mr and Mrs Pan
The Butterfly Lovers as if weeping and complaining
Ave Maria full of mercy and piety
Meditation From Thais full of peace and quietness
Souvenir so soul-stirring
Après in Reve as if wakening from a dream
How truly I admire the tacit understanding through deep love
From the married couple of Mr Pan and Ms Lei
How deeply I appreciate
The absolute sincerity
For loving music
From the old generations of the Chinese musicians
How eagerly and proudly
I want to praise
This forever special Inheritance through commemoration
¯
Christine Pei Ying Chen
Rebirth Trilogy
I. Glazed
Bees flow with colors, weaving through the flowers
Flowers flow with colors, bathed in clouds, rain, and dew
Cats flow with colors, chasing rainbow moons
Light revolves around her
Cats, dogs, rabbits, birds, all revolve around her—
Hoeing, watering flowers, doing laundry, cooking, calling cats and dogs
She is spun around, spinning and spinning, until she becomes the core of everything
He was mesmerized, forgetting time... until
His own eyes shimmered with seven colors, draped in iridescent robes, only then did he realize
He had also become a part of her:
Together, flowing with glazed colors
II. Birth
Finally, reaching the last layer of the realm of colors: blue
Covering the sky, touching the ground, clouds diving into lakes and seas
Lotus flowers and hydrangeas bloom to extravagance
Azure, making it hard to breathe!
Clattering, hooves never stop
Within the sound of hooves, she traverses layer after layer of colored realms—
Spring's tender yellow, summer's pink, autumn's clear gold...
Overflowing with colorful light, wandering through a myriad of colors
The backpack grows lighter, like
The fading lover and hometown, gradually distant and fading away—
Entering the scroll of black and white ink
Snowy mountains, arrived
Surrounded by mountains like memories
Thousand mountains covered in dusk snow, only two flickering black pupils
Silence. Echoes resonate: calling, so clear! ...
Awakening, the various colors of her, unified like a thousand-armed Avalokitesvara
A woman in a superposition state, reborn
Her body stands tall, fair skin with rosy cheeks, chest rising and falling gently
The sky is ablaze, the earth is blanketed in white—
Falling on her body and shoulders
III. Petrified
Roaring like a tiger or resonating like a dragon
The howling thunder arrives and the shooting stars depart
Whether in exuberant vitality or in heart-wrenching pain
All fall into stillness with the wilting of plants, transforming into wonders after decay
Finally, the secret technique to resist weathering and erosion emerges.
Possessing crystal clarity and hardness
Every inch of skin is gently kissed by time, comforting and preserving
With clear bones, dynamic interplay of light and shadow, absorbing the essence of sun and moon
The body is filled with radiant flowing light
Oh darling, do not be afraid
In this world, there are always unexpected wonders--
From organic to inorganic, to transcending the mundane, how beautiful it is:
Falling leaves in flowing water, moonlight and flying birds, brushing against the body like silk
An invisible pair of hands, renewing you completely,
Love or pain, forgetting or memory, all become raw materials--
Remember, you are destined as a precious gem
¯
Felix Cheung
Cold Wind
What woke me up
Was indeed nothing,
But a gust of cold wind
Carrying the whir of a returning boomerang,
And the metallic whistle between the massive flagpole.
A carousel music box is spinning,
Projects a halo of Christmas
Through a bizarre and colourful waste land,
Towards the ceiling.
Wind chimes tinkle,
Piercing through the walls within walls,
Echoing like distant camel bells' jingle.
¯
Frank Dong
What will we leave behind?
The waterfowl skims over the river,
Rippling the colorful surface of the water.
Tender Sprouts turn green and then yellow;
Departing in the sunset, leaves return to their roots below.
The evening flame dies away,
The moonlight gently starts to spray.
The woods sleep through the nights,
Birds are back to their nests and dreaming of their flights.
The stars are shining,
There's always a few shooting ones flying.
What leave behind will We?
A drop of water in the a long river,
A handful soil buried deep under,
A speck of dust in the star seas,
A song of life to sing for ever.
¯
Enya
Life is a mysterious thing
Walking in the field
Evening sun shining on my back
casting the shadow of myself
Three times longer
feet kisses the vast grass covered paddocks
The Soil is fertile, they
Were covered once with ashes
from volcanic eruptions
1000 years ago in Taupo
While here is close to Auckland
the land under the feet
is miles away from Taupo
As for me I came from China , a country
thousands miles away from this land
I start to wonder
Where the grass came from
Some were from here
The others may have travelled far away
from across the continent
Life is such a mysterious thing
I am in awe with its wonders
¯
Fang Langzhou
Avaricious Anglers
A hook will catch deep in the throat
Tears and blood will
flow down into the heart
¯
Helen Jia (西贝的诗)
Diverging and Converging
The light is divergent
A lampshade converges the rays
From the edges of shadows
Light takes on shapes
This is how solitude
Turning sorrow
Into a song
The sun's scattered beams
Gathered by a focusing lens
Converging into a single point
Silently piercing through fallen leaves
Emitting a wisp of smoke
This is how despair
Burning dreams
Into a pile of ashes
Published in Kalliope X, Issue 2, Autumn 2022
发散与收敛
灯光是发散的
灯罩使光收敛
由阴影的边界
光成为一些形状
这就是孤独
把悲哀
唱成一支歌的方式
太阳发散的光
在聚焦镜下收敛
聚成一个光点
无声地穿透落叶
冒出一缕轻烟
这就是绝望
把梦想
烧成一堆灰烬的过程
¯
Jin Jin
夏日玫瑰 Summer Pray
That day I passed by your window
your red shirt was visible through the green shadow
Though the sunlight flecked your face
I can't avoid your gaze
Although you have experienced the stormy life
you still hold affection
I picked up your moistened petals.
looking for those lingering details in the past
those lovely times that have been forgotten
My mind with thoughts of past days
Who knows, on a hot summer day
I used to pray for you
I can be your momentary lover
but I can't cross over to your world
I am unable to let go of this life
our connection was destined in our previous life
那天我经过你的窗前
你红衫绿影风中飘荡
阳光透过你的胸前
让我无法回避你的目光
虽然你已退去了红颜
却依然雍容情深
我拾起你褪色的花瓣
寻找那些缭绕的余音
那些被遗忘了的甜蜜
幻想着昨日你的风采
有谁知在灼热的夏日里
我曾经为你祈祷 为你牵挂
今生我是你过路的知音
你是我擦肩而过红颜
在你我失之交臂的那一刻
注定了我俩前世的姻缘
¯
Li Li
Sunset in London
A great shame，in the China Hall of British Museum
I am ashamed to face the dolls, graffiti, clay sculptures, stone carvings, handwritings and bones
Of ancestors
Walking into a modern prison, I am a visitor
An unfilially descendant
Here，It imprisons
My sick motherland and my shabby ancestors
My dignity, my glory, my pride and all my dreams
I am repeatedly warned to be in whisper when speak and walk on tiptoe.
Countless cameras stare at my every move
To these Chinese heritage treasures which were gotten by opium and artillery and
Stealing, robbing, abducting, cheating or sneaking
From the Forbidden City, Winter Palace, Dunhuang, temples, ancient tombs and the vicissitudes of the earth of China
And imprisoned in Explosion-proof Glass Cabinet
I'm speechless，even the right to take pictures with them has been taken publicly
Their reason is high-sounding
It's like the old days ，they were wearing gentle hats, having fine walking sticks in one hand and guns in the other
And broke into my home
Standing by the London River, the flowing golden river
Is like the fading time，going away slowly
The sunset of the kingdom called The Sun Never Sets is hanging at the end of the river, round
It seems to fall
Like a painful teardrop
Rolls down from my cheek
伦敦的落日
万分羞愧。在大英博物馆
中国厅，我耻于面对列祖列宗的
玩偶，涂鸦，泥塑，石雕，手迹和骨头
走进一个现代化的囚牢，我是一个
不孝的探监子孙，这里关押着
我生病的祖国，和我衣不蔽体的祖先
我的尊严，荣耀，自豪和所有的梦
我被反复警示，要轻言细语，蹑手蹑脚
无数的摄像头盯着我的一举一动
那些用鸦片和洋炮，还有施耍
偷盗，哄抢，拐买，欺骗和偷鸡摸狗伎俩得到
来自故宫，圆明园，敦煌，庙宇荒塚，沧桑大地
囚禁于防爆玻璃柜里的祖传之宝
我无言以对，我连与它们合影的权力，也被
公然剥夺，他们的理由堂而皇之
就象当年头戴礼帽，一手举着文明杖，一手揣着
火药枪，闯进我的家园
站在伦敦河边，那流金的河水
仿佛缓缓逝去的岁月，日不落帝国的
落日，悬挂在河的尽头，浑圆
欲滴，像是从我脸颊滚落的一滴
疼痛的眼泪
¯
Li Zhongquan
My Poetry Blanket
I have a poetry blanket, just press the button of the soul to activate it
My poetry blanket can fly, traversing 125 billion planets in the Milky Way
One night, it took me to meet seven dwarfs and Snow White
In the gourd mountain, I also encountered the gourd little warriors and the gourd siblings
My poetry blanket can save lives, can heal the pain and loneliness of the soul
It can fulfil dreams, sowing a seed of longing that slowly climbs up to the moon
Sow a seed of sunflower able to chase the sun like Hou Yi
It tells me a secret, beneath the Potala Palace
There's a passage to the world at the center of the earth, where many beings of higher dimensions reside
Translated by Christine Peiying Chen
我的诗毯
我有一块诗毯，只要按下
心灵的按钮就会启动
我的诗毯能飞，可
穿行银河系1250亿颗行星
有一天夜里，它带我见到了
七个小矮人还有白雪公主
在葫芦山，还遇见了
葫芦小金刚还有葫芦兄妹
我的诗毯能救命，能治愈
心灵上的痛苦与孤独
我的诗毯能圆梦，撒下一粒
思念的种子，会慢慢的爬上月亮
撒下一粒葵花的种子
能像夸父那样逐日
我的诗毯告诉我一个
秘密，在布达拉宫的下面
可通往地心世界，那里
住着很多高维度的人
¯
Breanna Lilly
The Reason Why I Left Your Lock of Grey
I saw out of the corner of my eye, that you walked past me so gracefully, yet the anger you felt as you passed by shook me cold. You were the pouring rain spewing through my brain, washing me clean yet filling me with damages too far done to be erased. Your memory faded in and out, like a bad night of drinking as you sober up to the rising daylight, a hint of sparkling light weaving through the gray, a ray glaring down at you, the sun shining through a small gap within the condensed clouds, it was you. Your brain was a horrendous mess, wired shut, and there was nothing that could open it. You were wicked and sickened by a disease that could never be cured; as you whisper sad thoughts of darkness, I see you with dismay, and I learn to outlive your ways.
¯
Jie Ran Wang
Benoit Statue
Though half of you is hidden in this earthly sea and sky
Half appearing in the human’s vision
Still can’t hide your charisma and majestic aura
Still can’t stop your enduring marvellousness
Maybe you are an explorer of the world
Searching for the soul’s fantasies and life’s shortcomings
From your pensive gaze
From your broken body
From your light luggage
I’m guessing
Maybe, you were an early member of the First Fleet
Landing at Botany Bay
From your weary, travel-worn face
From the tips of your hair tousled by the sea breeze
From your clothes that have been faded by the years
I’m guessing
Maybe, you are a rare brave man in this troubled world
Your singular cry broke the bad legacies
From your dignified and strong demeanor
From your wavy hair blowing against the wind
From your burdened steps forward
I’m guessing
Maybe, there are endless maybes
But I believe wherever your footprints touch
The impact is instant
The imaginations are endless
Moreover, a brave man will from now on stand tall
No matter on this earth or in the heart
贝努瓦雕像
诗/ 洁然
纵使你
隐身一半于尘世海天
显现一半于人间视野
依然藏不住你倜傥轩昂的气宇
依然挡不住你遗世独立的不凡
也许，你是走世界的探索者
正寻找灵魂的远方和人生的遗失
从你思索的眼神
从你残断的身躯
从你轻捷的行囊
我猜想
也许，你是早期第一舰队一员
正登入博特尼海湾的陆地
从你风尘仆仆的倦容
从你被海风凌乱了的发梢
从你被年代褪色了的衣裳
我猜想
也许，你是乱世的孤勇者
你孤声的呐喊划破了逆袭的遗风
从你凝重坚强的神态
从你逆风拂过的波发
从你负重前行的步伐
我猜想
也许，也许是无尽的
但我相信你足迹的触及之处
震撼便顷刻袭来
想象便漫漫无际
更是，一个勇者从此屹立
无论在浊世，还是在心中
¯
Lan Mu
If Solitude is Beautiful
– About Long Jetty Long Bridge Central Coast
In the twilight of early morning
You pose like an arrow in a fully stretched bow
Ready to fly
Right into the arms of your lover
In the sunset
You drift like a flat-bottomed sailing ship
In the heart of the sea
Waiting for your lover returning from a long journey
With the wind in your left hand
And the clouds in your right hand
The sunlight brightens up as your silk carpet
Ripples dance on your fingertips to an aria
Long Jetty Bridge, oh, Long Jetty Bridge
If solitude is beautiful
I would rather be that sea bird
Soaring in your heart
¯
Meijia Lian
Stroll up the hill
Green banyan trees spread their wings on the roof tiles,
A small fish-like boat on the Mingjiang River,
It is slowly driving into the distance.
Maybe you are washing clothes at the river at this moment,
Do you know I miss you onboard the passing boat ?
But whether you are on that stone or not,
No matter if I have time or not, I can look here from afar,
Missing is such a river that flows away.
The setting sun surrounds you,
Because you are my golden and brilliant yearning.
思念
漫步上小山岗：
绿榕展翼在屋瓦上，
闽江上小鱼般的船，
正缓缓驶向远方。
此刻也许你正在江边洗衣裳，
知不知道我的思念，o
载在那路过的小船。
但不管你在不在那青石上，
不管我有空没空在这儿遥望，
思念就是这样一条流去的江。
夕阳包围在你的那一方，
因为你是我黄金般灿烂的神往。
¯
Shijing Liao
Inquiry on Clouds of Wandering Winds
Waking up in the clouds, over the land down under,
Sydney should be blazing in summer with fervor.
Christmas is nearing, joy should be near,
Yet storms gather, clouds hang low in sheer.
Sydney Harbor, sea waves uproariously strive,
Raindrops like pearls, on my heart they arrive.
On the bridge, lights flicker and gleam,
But veiled by mist, Santa's star's dim beam.
Boats gently sail, seeking a distant shore,
Have the dreamt gifts dampened, forevermore?
Umbrellas in streets, like dancers in trance,
Fluttering down, like snowflakes, in a celestial dance.
Thoughts in my heart, like clouds on a spree,
May the wind tell the clouds, take warmth to the sea.
Let rain cleanse the dust, leaving ripples of hope,
Behind the clouds, find a sunbeam to cope.
Yes! Whatever is coming, let's welcome!
Step into the New Year! With unparalleled enthusiasm!
Dive into the thrill of festive Sydney. With a glass of cocktail!
And dance into 2024! With unmatched happy dreams.
¯
Yuhang Liu
Silence, Ukraine
Morning like always
Roosters are ready to sing
Farmers get cows ready to plough
Birds wait one long night
Ready to hunt for their children
Antelopes waiting for the first sunshine
To expel the dark and vicious night
Lions prepare to sleep
As the long battle night left scars all over
Of course some preys, so pity for them
Mother just milked the baby
Both in the deep sleep
What a silent move
Changing is not chirps of the birds
It is the shelling of canons
The earth trembled by the troops
Baby crying and mother awakes, asking
Putin, why you wake me up
¯
Lu Wentao
Don’t Say
I don't say, "I love rain,"
when I open the umbrella
in the drizzle
I like the smell of the rain.
I don't say, "I love sunset,"
when I watch the sun disappear
in my eyes, she is still
shining in my mind.
I don't say, "I love wind,"
I always stand on the deck
to embrace the sea breeze.
I don't say, "I love you,"
when I first saw you in the darkness,
you never leave my heart.
不语
不言慕雨，暗赏独香
不言喜曛，余辉自耀
不言追风，凭海扶摇
不言爱汝，吾心永驻
¯
Raymond Ren
Beauty in the hanging mind
1. Spring Gala with you,
Times passing by.
Chasing stars joyfully,
Those years in sky.
Sharing together differences,
Colourful pheasants alike.
Capturing for delicate taste,
Being mixed senses ideals and appetite.
Entered the flaming curtain with you,
Astonished by the clouds and rain in fire.
Hard to tell it was beautiful or repellent,
Still being in the midst of them and smile.
An itchy heart seeks diversion,
Oh natural Life.
It is better to find extraordinary,
Being marvellous encountering my own fate in light.
2. The Soul hidden in Sorrow and Joy,
Oh often strike,
Who plucks my heartstrings,
Several times the sharp meaning with pride.
Permeating into the palace of my mind,
Aroma water dilutes sad and cries.
Overflowing three Lifes,
A burst of sense and gasping breath disguise.
Who says poetry is Majestic,
Who says the poetry kills and die.
Once life is over,
Any poetic charm fades with the wind passing by.
That bloodthirstiness, that splendour,
That tenderness are shy,
In the vast time torrents it is nothing,
The final rightful peace of my mind never feels contrite.
3. Begins after a stunning encounter,
Savouring trial.
Another stunning encounter, then getting used to it for a while.
The world is inevitable,
Clichés like.
Repeated repellent, Repeated beauty showing fight.
Novelty leads me into mist,
Extra dimples rosy cheeks sigh.
Better the slender bones,
Stirring the Soul letting it high.
Oh too many slender bones,
Better dewy skin slight.
Embracing grace in tipsy,
Conquering three Castles for a bride.
The grandeur the Castles rises and huge,
Hidden at a needle point aspire.
Inserted into a square inch,
Revealing Bodhisattvas and Vajras the benevolent and fierce the high-five.
Then keeping attention tiny and kind,
Truly shrive.
Beauty cannot be scrutinised harshly,
while repellent can be mysteriously alive.
Beauty cannot be fully revealed,
Repellent shall see a leopard in a hole side.
Like a lute covering the half face of a beauty,
Still alluring my heart betide.
The mature ends up as withered lotuses,
Falling into autumn water multi-ply.
With a sudden gust of puzzle wind,
All falling into frost burying by the pure and white.
文（澳大利亚）
（一）
与你春晚
经年
与你傻傻追星，也经年
正如彩羽山鸡
一窝炖上
摄为娇鲜味儿，口腹与理想
那年共入罗帷
惊于云雨
如今一笑还其中，难算美难算丑
心痒自然寻消遣
生命
最好从不平凡里，找出陌路，找出一番劫数
… …
（二）
那阕悲喜藏灵
每每
敲打心弦，几番傲切
渗透泥丸宫忧怜
芳水
盈盈淹三生，一怒绽就娇喘气短
谁说诗华好谁说
诗豪杀
生死一过，什么魂韵也随风渐渐
那道血性那道绚丽
那道姣柔
在天荒洪流中，不过还是最终的心安理得，与死不冥目
… …
（三）
一场惊艳后开始
回味
再一场惊艳，然后习惯
世界如此如是
陈词
重复的美，重复的丑
新奇使人犯迷
梨涡多了
不如瘦骨，引发魂销
只是瘦骨多了
不如凝脂
唯抱艳醉醉，醉下三座城池
城池宏大掀昂
不如针尖
插入方寸，扎出善菩萨恶金刚
然后再存小家碧玉
真切
所以美不可狠狠，丑可以迷迷
美不可全窥，而丑
只可管豹
犹如琵琶遮半脸，还算骚死人
最是老老终终成残荷
坠于秋水
一阵玄风骤起，全数跌入皑雪中，埋成皓洁
¯
Sou Vai Keng
upside-down song
bird drawing song
in canvas on the wall
hanging upside down
in mirror of sea
throwing up
a frozen sunset
wind still
over waves
eye moves
footprints
you are
on your own
now spread
over sand
¯
Adarshani R Sharma
Women
Such a pity to see that I live in this society,
where wearing a dress can be no less than a stress,
where the length of a skirt determines my worth,
where my passion is just another persons’ comparison,
where my body size will always be a thing to criticize.
A society where females are forced to live a lie,
a society which doesn't change no matter how hard you try!
¯
Tang Ying Xia
Nostalgia of Honor and Decline
I've experienced countless sorrows
And countless moments of happiness.
Whenever the melancholy mist descends,
I open up to the natural, newborn light—
In the forest, there's a clear and melodious spring,
Birds rest by the water, wings poised for flight.
Perhaps it's still winter here,
But my shadow
No longer accepts the cold and lingering darkness of the night—
Oh, world,
It still smiles at me so indifferently,
Like the early blooming cherry blossoms in March.
The spring water should know—
Ultimately, where will I drift? My soul—
Is heading towards all the nostalgia of honor and decline.
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Altynai Temirova
Dreams are like life
And life is like dreams
For someone who doesn't know who to trust,
suffering souls are filled with
happiness...
But like a cunning playful fox
attracting a hunter
A thousand of lies in life
keep you out of your way
persuading you
“It’s me, your happiness
Get from me whatever you like!”
Little by little
You keep threading your way,
Unable to give matters fresh thought.
Actually no one managed to do that...
Түштөр – өңдөй,
а, турмуш – түш сыяктуу...
Ишенээрин билбеген кай бирине,
азаптуу жандын бакты
укмуш албан...
бирок калтар түлкүдөй
кылтылдаган,
алдына мергенчинин түшүп алып:
“Мени!..” – дейт, жашоодогу миң-миң жалган
көрүнүш көз көрүнөө колдон алып...
“Бакытың болом сенин,
бардыгын алгын менден!..”
берип ченем,
узайсың
узанбаган
жолдор менен,
учугун
убайымдуу
ойдун чубап,
учуна
жаралганы
жан
жетпеген...
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Phu-Linh Tran
A Swan Feather a Thousand Li Away
There was only one time
when my po-po said
something nice to me
that didn’t sound like screaming
she said lo ho leng ma
meaning you are beautiful
I was hiding inside
my well-established shame.
Yet my po-po saw me,
because she knew what
hiding under shame meant
and what marrying a man
for every reason other than love felt like
and how hiding your true feelings
your whole life
so no one would look down on you
could damage your soul.
My popo still sees me,
but she now sees me from heaven
and every time I want to hide
from the world she sends me
a swan feather from a thousand li
away to remind me to see myself
and to hold onto hope,
hope for a life where others
would see me too.
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Alan Wu
Blue Mountains
I spent half a day in the Blue Mountains,
The maple leaves began to change faces as they grieved for spring.
Why wait until late autumn to visit again?
Lingering in the sunset, I care not to return.
心形島
淺藍深綠洗塵緣，海闊天空雲紫煙。
水底珊瑚光彩透，一泓仙境展君前。
英譯：
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Zi Fei Yu
Fishing Alone in autumn
When a leaf floats
Its temperature is the same as water
Closing my lips tightly, except for the color
I shouldn't be close to the same coldness
I'm not sure if the leaf will
Wake up from the water in a certain afternoon
When autumn clouds fly by
Sing affectionately the final song for the green
The reflection is
The last touch of ink left behind
When a lone goose flies by
Repeating the style of painting over the years
Drifting past the song of “Every sound is slow” from Yian
My fingertips seem to be warmer than my breath
It can move the red wine in the glass
As if a swimming fish
Over the mountains, rivers and the ocean
Please give me a petal of cold chrysanthemum
And let it be
Waiting for me to find the forgotten blue top from my previous life
I will dance with you my final dance
No longer to be afraid to go to the west tower to listen to the sunset song
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Xiaochun Liang
Journey To The US
Everyone has a journey
No matter how hard or easy
The plane is taking off again
Arising into the sky bravely
Without image of the destination
My brain is empty
A different world ahead?
I’m wondering about it
From the map I can see
It’s only inches away
A whole day travelling is not far
Since the planet is tiny
Where can I go
With a heart which is
Eager for the quietness
In such a crowded world
That is so noisy
While I’m flying high
My brain is empty
Published in the Through the Realm of Impermanence - Poetry Sydney 2022 Selected Poems
译文：
飞往美利坚
每个人生都是一段旅程
无论它是多么的艰难还是惬意
飞机再次起飞
勇敢地升上高空
想象不出目的地的模样
我的大脑一片空白
会否是一个不同的世界
我期盼着对它的了解
从地图上可以看到
两地之间的距离只有几英寸
一整天的飞行不算远
因为地球是如此的渺小
还能去到哪里呢
伴着一颗渴望宁静的心
在这样一个拥挤喧嚣的世界
飞翔在高高的天空之上
我的大脑一片空白
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Xing-Mai
Symphony of life - for Ryan Martin
The sea is roaring, people are crying，
for a young man, his name is Ryan,
Ryan Martin.
He was so young，he was so
strong.
His girlfriend is so beautiful.
His life would have been very very long.
However, he is gone!
like a sea eagle,
withering away in the shining of the sun.
He threw himself from jagged rock,
into 2m high waves, not because he was sick of life,
but for the sake of life, a little Asian girl, her life.
This wasn't an exchange, this was a symphony of life.
His soul was on the strings of a harp, the harp performing the song of lives.
His soul was in the song, and he didn't allow any loss of any other soul in the song.
This symphony is performed for ever.
The harp is strung by his soul, a young and strong soul,
a soul never wither away, but just hidden in the shining of the sun.
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Zhang Lizhong
Syntactic Childhood
The happy ones heal life with childhood,
The unhappy heal childhood with a lifetime.
If you consider yourself a happy person,
Happy childhood can be written as a poem:
Writing life in plain as not plain.
If you consider yourself unhappy,
Unhappy childhood can be written as a dream:
Writing about the extraordinary in the ordinary.
May writing save everyone,
The happy and the unhappy write together.
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WenZheng Zhu
Tune Ripples Sifting Sand
A slender waist being tied by a silk ribbon, inclining
Even to fragility, bears the grief of departing spring ;
The freshly made-up soft figure appearing in sparse shadows,
How to in it describe her slight and graceful paces?
A wisp of light cloud floating by the evening plum flowers.
Rosebud mouth singing,
Words on lips tendering,
The shady path along the peach blossom to ferry-crossing.
Left to see the beamed jade terrace, where on the fairy sky,
And the homing moon sinking with her practised eye.
（宋）李清照·
浪 淘 沙
素约小腰身，不奈傷春。疏梅影下晚妆新。
袅袅婷婷何样似？一縷輕雲。
歌巧動朱唇，字字嬌嗔。桃花深徑一通津。
悵望瑶臺清夜月，還送歸輪
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NOTES
ON CONTRIBUTORS
M.K Ajay is a poet, editor and corporate leader based in Hong Kong. He is the author of three books of poems, including Clawing into Water’s Skin (Poetrywala, Mumbai). He co-edited an international poetry anthology titled Map of Morning (Dhauli Books), is the Associate Editor of anām: the journal of international writing and co-curator of the Odisha Art & Literature Festival. Ajay’s poetry has been translated into more than ten languages. His paintings and poems were featured in Mladé Topole (Slovakia) as digital installations. He is a winner of the Northern Colorado Writers’ Poetry Contest (National) and runner up at the Srinivas Rayaprol Poetry Prize, and has been an invited writer at quite a few international literary festivals. He is currently completing his debut novel and is editing two cross-disciplinary international poetry anthologies.
Cao Shui, also Shawn Cao (born in Jun 5, 1982), is a Chinese poet, novelist, screenwriter and translator. He is a representative figure of Chinese Contemporary Literature. He leads “the Greatpoeticism” movement. His most notable works includes Epic of Eurasia, the already mentioned trilogy and King Peacock (TV series). So far fourty books of Cao Shui have been published, including ten poem collections, five essay collections, ten novels, four translations, 18 fairy tales and one hundred episodes TV series and films. He has won more than 50 literary awards worldwide. His works have been translated into 24 languages. He is also chief editor of Great Poetry, deputy editor in chief of World Poetry, secretary general of Boao International Poetry Festival and vice president of the Silk Road International Poetry Festival. Currently he lives in Beijing, and works as a professional writer and screenwriter.
Caiyan Che Born in Huidong County, Guangdong Province of Inland China.Studied at Guangdong Foreign Languages Normal School from 1985-1990. A registered writer of Australian Chinese Literature Network，a member of Ausino Yuxuan Poetry Society.
Christine Pei Ying Chen A bilingual poet, a columnist of the newspaper 'Mandarin Page' (New Zealand); Editor-in-Chief of New York newspaper ‘Compact news’.Received :The Best Foreign Author 2023-- Italian Literature Award of the 30th 'Ossi Di Seppia'; The first place winner of the 2nd 'Literary Asia' (Chinese language) International Poetry Competition.In 2022, Chen participated in the organization and publication of Sydney's International Poetry Festival in Australia and received a 'Special Contribution Award'.
Twice winner of 'New Zealand Literature Award' (Chinese Literature) in 2018 & 2019.
Chen’s work was translated and published in different language such as Hindi, Arabia, Italian, Spanish, Greek, Romania, Albanian, Russian, Kazakh, Korean, Bangladesh, etc.
In 2023, Chen was assigned as the continent coordinator for World Poetry Movement Oceania.
Chen serves as a committee member of New Zealand Chinese Writers Association since 2021 to present.
Felix Cheung pen name “Jiang Feng Hui Ying”, originally from Guangzhou, China, currently resides in Sydney, a public practice accountant and CFO of a public company. He harbors a passion for poetry, literature and the arts. Member of the Ausinan Association For Poetry and the Australian Chinese Poetry and Art Federation. Felix's works grace numerous Chinese poetry websites and print media in Australia and New Zealand. In 2023, he authored and published "The 100-Character Poems of A Dream of Red Mansions".
Frank Dong Engages in overseas Chinese language education as a hobby, involved in teaching and management. Invited poet at the 2022 Sydney International Poetry Festival, and awarded the Festival Outstanding Contribution Award by the New South Wales government of Australia.
Winner of the Best Poetry Award at the "First World Poets Golden Crown Grand Prix".
Contracted poet for the Australian Poetry Gala, and serves as the Executive Chairman and Secretary-General of the Australian Branch of the CCTV Global Chinese Love Poetry Gala.
Fang Langzhou is a celebrated Chinese Australian poet from Fujian China. As an immigrant, he experienced the cultural shock, devoting himself to poetry. He was invited to the World Congress of Poets.
Helen Jia (西贝) is a bilingual writer, living in Australia. Her poetry collection, "A Century of Serenity" (published by China Youth Press in 2016), won third prize in The 5th Zhongshan Literature Award. Her children’s poetry collection, "Moon River and Sky Town" (published by Unity Press in 2020), was awarded the title of Wonderful Children’s Book in Shanghai in 2021. And her children’s picture book "Scarecrow & Forget-Me-Not" (published by Austin Macauley Publishers Ltd in 2020) won the Pinnacle Book Achievement Award in 2022 for Best Book in the Category of CHILDREN'S FAIRY TALES.
Jia Hong is a member of the Australian New South Wales Chinese Writers Association and a member of Yu Xuan Poetry Society.
Jie Ran Wang, Jie Ran Wang, an office clerk of a Sydney company, a member of poetry society and writers association, an editor of literature books, and an immigrant from Shanghai.
Jin Jin’s passion is in the arts and literature having written novel, prose and poetry. Jin strives to pursue the beauty in life. Her works reflect a soulful longing to return to nature, the memories of her childhood and the pursuit of ideals for a better life.
Lan Mu: well-known Australian-Chinese poet, senior event planner, senior editor, bilingual host. Dr Lan Mu is the author of the prose and poetry collections of "Happiness of Watch", the first "History of Fujian Advertisements" and "Research on the Business Model and Performance of Advertising Companies". She is the chief planner of Australian youth and adult cultural and arts competitions for many times.
Liao Shijing is an English teacher in Sydney engaged in bilingual teaching and research. Founder of the Global Chinese Art & Poetry Association; Chairman, General Planner and Producer of the 2021 and 2022 Global Chinese New Year Poetry & Art Concert; One of the key organizers of 2022 Sydney International Poetry Festival and Editor-in-Chief of the Poem Anthology of the Festival. Consultant to Overseas Literature Journal People's Daily Overseas New Zealand.
Lili, a Chinese born Melbourne poet, His works have been published in more than 100 newspapers and periodicals such as "Poetry Magazine", "People's Literature" and "Flower City", and he has won the Boao International Poetry Award, Sydney International Poetry Award and Yang Wanli Poetry Award more than ten times. Chief Editor of the annual anthology of Chinese Troubadour Poetry and the poetry series of the Library of Chinese Troubadour. He has published six collections of poetry, essays and reportage.
Li Zhongquan was born in Shenyang in 1955. He has published over 300 essays, poems, and prose pieces in publications such as People's Daily, Baidu, Tencent News, Sohu, World Poets, Australia Net, The Ocean Times, and Perth Daily. His representative works include "Youth Group Poems," "Standing by the Stove," "Yellow River," and "Chicken Feathers and Garlic Skins." He is a member of the Australia Victoria Chinese Writers Association, the Australian Chinese Writers Association, and the Chinese Poetry Society.
Meijia Lian was born in 1956 and moved to Australia in the 1990s. She was the president of the Queensland Chinese Writers Association and a member of the Fujian Writers Association. Many works have been published in domestic and overseas publications and many awards won at home and abroad. Finally published a book of prose and poetry called Beautiful years.
Breanna Lilly - raised in the serene surroundings of Santa Barbara, California, Breanna found her academic footing at Santa Barbara City College, earning three distinct Associate's degrees. With an innate passion for poetic expression and storytelling, she has woven words into her life's fabric from an early age, nurturing her aspirations as a poet and writer.
Yuhang Liu residing in NZ. Original from Beijing, NZ Coco Literacy Prize winner, Italian 30th "Ossi Di Seppia" Poetry Award winner(third place),works including novels, poems, short stories.
Lu Wentao Born in Shanghai. Published after living in Australia for more than thirty years.He has
published a series of literary works in newspapers and periodicals, such as novels, essays and poems, etc., and several of his works have won awards. He is also the author of the business book "Australian Business Choice which published in 2001. Presidents of the Chinese Writers Federation NSW.
Raymond Ren resides in Sydney. Enjoys poetry, believes poetry can express emotions, convey love, and illustrate wisdom. Also hopes poetry can soothe grief and cheer up the down mood.
Sou Vai Keng - Writer and painter from Macau, now based in Portugal. Two published poetry books: art of ignorance (Flying Islands, 2023) and everybody has a pet (ASM, 2009).
Tang Ying Xia is a renowned Chinese-Australian poet, the Chairperson of the Sydney International Poetry Festival, and the Honorary Chairperson of the Australian International Elite Cultural and Arts Center.
Altynai Temirova is a poet of a wide range, playwright and translator. In 1990 graduated from the Institute of Literature named after M. Gorky in Moscow. Member of the Writers’ Union of the Kyrgyz Republic since 1991, International Pen Club since 2000, and Union of Cinematographers since 2014. Altynai Temirova a coordinator Kyrgyzstan for “World Poets Movement” (WPM).
Phu-Linh Tran is a Vietnamese Melbourne-based poet, freelance writer, visual artist and spoken word performer. She has appeared as a featured poet at Girls on Key, Passionate Tongues, Be Mused, Fresh Voices, Poetryspective and Poetry at The Dan O’Connell.
She released her first self-published chapbook Adventures in P-Minor in 2019 and has since been published in literary journals LiteLitOne, Unusual Work and Farrago. Her work has also been published in two Australian anthologies: From the Ashes (2020) edited by C.S. Hughes and Shoot the Breeze (2022), published by Girls on Key Press. She will appear in the Melbourne Poets Union Anthology released in 2023.
Alan Wu (Jing Liang). Bachelor of Chinese Language and Literature, currently living in Sydney. He has been working in Australian Chinese media for a long time. He has served as deputy editor-in-chief of a newspaper and has interviewed many celebrities from all walks of life in Australia and China. Poetry travel enthusiast. Published a personal collection of essays "The Australian Dreams".
Xiaochun Liang Born in Tianjin China. President of Ausinan Association for Poetry，Member of Chinese Writers Federation NSW, Member of Chinese Prose Network Association.
Xing-Mai freelancer writer, published articles, poems, short fictions and literary commentary articles in Sydney local medias. Member of Ausinan Association of poetry, member of New South Wales Chinese writers Association, published a poem anthology “Poems on my footprints” in 2020.
Zhang Lizhong He received his Ph.D. in Education from the University of Sydney and was the project director of the China Education Center at the University of Sydney and the founding principal of the Datong Chinese School in Sydney. The founder of the new 100-character poetry style. He is currently the president of the Australian-Chinese Poetry and Art Federation.
Zi Fei Yu, formerly known as Ding Li. Situated in Sydney, Australia. She is a member of the Chinese Writers Association of NSW, a resident writer of the famous Chinese Writers Association, a member of the Sydney Yu Xuan Poetry Society, and a columnist of the Australian Changfeng Forum.
WenZheng Zhu(朱文正 known as Jinsheng). A member of the Australian Chinese Writers Association. Published books so far are: Songs of the Outback (Essays & Short Stories), Songs of the Outback (Fairytales & Short Stories), The Rivulets in Those Valleys, Asking Heaven (Selected articles of Jinsheng in Chinese-English), The 58 Cursive Scripts of Chinese Classic Poems by Milton (顧毅)(China) translated by Jinsheng, Distancing Mountains ---A Narrative Poem by Bing Fu(冰夫）translated by Jinsheng.
MEUSE PRESS publishes this collection.
All work © the authors.
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