每天讀一點英文:那些年那些詩 15 致橡樹

Ode to the Oak
Shu Ting
If I fall in love with you
I will never resemble clambering trumpet creeper,
To flaunt myself by your high branches.

If I fall in love with you
I will never imitate spoony birds,
To repeat simple melody for green shade
I will not only resemble a wellspring,

To bring you cool consolation perennially;
I will not only resemble steepy mountains,
To increase your altitude or to set off your dignified manner.

Even not only sunlight,
Even not only spring rain,
No, these are not enough!

I must be a kapok beside you,
As an image of tree I stand with you.
Our roots hold tightly in the earth,
Our leaves touch gently in the clouds.

Each breeze passes, we salute each other,
But no one understand our own words.

You have your iron trunk and copper branch
Like a knife, a sword and a halberd as well;
I have my red and big flowers,
Like a heavy sigh and a heroic torch as well.

Together we partake cold waves, storms and firebolts;
Together we share fogs, flowing hazes and rainbows,
We seem always apart, but interdependent all life long.

Only this is called great love,
Faithfulness lies here:
Love
I love not only your gigantic stature,
But also the position you uphold,
And the earth on which you stand.