World Literature:
Cao Shui
(China)
Great Dance of Sorrow (Poem)
You stand center stage,
they all push you towards sorrow.
Backstage, some play the accompaniment;
behind you, some dance to the funeral music.
Standing center stage crying, there’s only you.
This stage stands center of the Asian continent,
you are on the Pamir plateau wailing.
People come from all directions:
Asians play funeral marches for you
and Europeans dance along.
Wishing for death, you stand there.
You are the most ordinary person,
yet no one will let you be.
They sing for you, dance for you
to aid your sorrow process.
Until you give up all hope,
until you depart this world.
They’ll grieve briefly and leave
to find the next eulogy.
Translation: Brendan Higginbotton
