Box

by Li Yun
     trs. by Wang Ping

Child, please don’t open the box, no need to see everything in it
Not everything in this world needs to be understood
The box brings you good news, also death

I was too ignorant to follow the rule
I opened my mouth — I spoke
It was a grim day when I opened the box
Please remember the lesson

In reality, the box was empty.  In fact,
The box was full . . .

Thunder descended, treasures opened, secrets revealed
Sunlight broke the window, ten thousand arrows through my
heart
Plagues came in waves, conspiracy exposed, blood rained down
Mars invasion?  A comet through the sky, a cry of a newborn

I was a box, I broke my own rule
I opened the box, I opened myself
To fly or stay put
But Child, the only thing I never regretted —
Is to open my mouth and speak