Life

by Bai Hua
     trs. by Fan Jinghua

Life, so short; but God still creates this face:

“Old age is worse than death.”

Yes, the older you get
The more hatred you get from children, let alone from women.

The air remains even and just.  Beauty has lost its terror. Remember: if you have no fear, you fear nothing.

Life, a variety of sacks and bags, too many to count or burn, From one to another . . .

Each moment is real. But take it with a pinch of salt, Unless you forget —

Russian is “a language that’s caught a cold” (Herta Müller).
“I love Sweden infinitely, there is illusion everywhere” (Rilke?).