A Five-character Octave
Ode To the Moon
By Duo Duo
Tr. Yuxin
If I shaked hands wi' you moon,you'd chill my hand,
I'd bounce you to the ninth heaven from land.
The moon you are filled with the yellow air;
Your icy heart is burnt with water there.
The fresh wind blows an' makes water show waves small.
And urgent waves meet red lotuses all.
I look up at the moon hidden in clouds,
But look down at the land, the green smoke shrouds.
A Seven-character Octave
Dawn on the Day Before the End of Heat
By Duo Duo
Tr. Yuxin
I never feel at ease for wish in mind;
The life is short, cuz it's but hard to find.
When sing I do not think sparse stars will fall;
But silence that I hear makes me mess gall.
Don’t ask me who I am on earth so clear;
What does it matter where I go from here?
The lights burned out at night when insects sing;
The dawn'll come an' make me play many a string.