Shi Zhi – The Wave and the Ocean

Today, we take a look at a poet who, astonishingly, was writing interesting poetry during the height of the Maoist era. His is the most underground of the underground poets, and today we look at one of the poems by Shi Zhi, “The Ocean and the Wave.”

Rob’s Translation

The Ocean – A Song in Three Parts

1. 

The crashing waves 

and deep ocean

lead me to seek passionately

cause me to look forward eagerly.

Because I am sometimes melancholy

I love the vastness of the ocean’s breast

Because I am sometimes shy

I love the ocean’s incomparable strength.

It is because my abilities are ordinary

That I crave the ocean’s extraordinary size

It is because my appearance is ugly

That I adore the ocean’s azure blue and shining clarity.

I will always have a song of praise for you

Oh resounding, impassioned waves.

I will always have admiration for you

Oh profound, azure ocean.

(Note: We only discussed Part 1).

Original:

一 波浪与海洋

  喧响的波浪

  深沉的海洋

  引我热烈地追求

  使我殷切11地向往

  因为我有时惆怅

  所以我喜爱大海宽阔的胸膛

  因为我有时怯懦

  所以我喜爱大海的无比坚强

  这是因为我能力寻常

  所以我渴求大海的巨大力量

  这是因为我形体丑陋

  所以我酷爱大海的碧蓝和明朗

  我将永远为你歌唱

  那喧响激昂的波浪

  我将永远为你倾倒

  那碧蓝深沉的海洋

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