◇在室外就坐
［美］W.D.史诺德格拉斯，一树碧无情译
这些草坪上的坐椅和躺椅是20年前
买给父亲的，它们由大块红木制作而成
然后安放在这个庭院
当他还能干活时很少到那儿
也从不久呆。后来，他挂着吊带的
左臂，耷拉下来，他在那儿抽烟或小睡
直到天色向晚，看过往汽车，
阅读股市报道，数药品，
然后继续睡觉。在他最后的日子里
我从不去那儿，我厌倦了它们
依旧散发出的错觉，它们关于坐船出游
的谈话，或等他恢复健康后
去往巴哈马的旅行。在我们的柳树下，
这套老家具式样完好：我们曾与伙伴一起在那儿
就坐，读书或记笔记――虽然扶手
已干枯破裂，轮子掉落
因此，在粗糙的地面上拖动时
整个框架显得不再结实。当然，那些柳树，
也一样，难以维系，落叶飘零，
枯枝断裂，粗糙的树皮
散落一地。我有一个儿子，我，
也需要一些东西照料自己。我有时想
如果退休了，坐在这片荫凉中
感受岁月变迁，一定会充满
孩子般的恐惧，如果你也靠近的话
定能发觉某人的垂死之状。但你不是太确定。
◇诗人简介：
W.D.史诺德格拉斯（1926－）生于美国宾夕法尼亚威尔金斯伯格，著有20多部诗、文、评论集。现居纽约州北部。
◇诗人近照：
◇附原作：
Sitting Outside
by W. D. Snodgrass
These lawn chairs and the chaise lounge
of bulky redwood were purchased for my father
twenty years ago, then plumped down in the yard
where he seldom went when he could still work
and never had stayed long. His left arm
in a sling, then lopped off, he smoked there or slept
while the weather lasted, watched what cars passed,
read stock reports, counted pills,
then dozed again. I didn’t go there
in those last weeks, sick of the delusions
they still maintained, their talk of plans
for some boat tour or a trip to the Bahamas
once he’d recovered. Under our willows,
this old set’s done well: we’ve sat with company,
read or taken notes—although the arm rests
get dry and splintery or wheels drop off
so the whole frame’s weakened if it’s hauled
across rough ground. Of course the trees,
too, may not last: leaves storm down,
branches crack off, the riddled bark
separates, then gets shed. I have a son, myself,
with things to be looked after. I sometimes think
since I’ve retired, sitting in the shade here
and feeling the winds shift, I must have been filled
with a child dread you could catch somebody’s dying
if you got too close. And you can’t be too sure. |
