In the Village of my Forefathers
One hug me
One looks at me with wolf eyes
One takes off his hat
So I can see him better
Each one asks me
Do you know who I am
Unknown old men and women
Usurp the names
Of boys and girls of my memory
And I ask one of them
Tell me old chap
Is Goerge Kurja
Still alive
That’s me he answers
In a voice from the other world
I stroke his cheek with my hand
And silently beg him to tell me
Whether I am alive still too
by Vasko Popa Translated by Anne Pennington
回乡一人拥抱我
一人瞪着狼眼看我
一人摘下帽子
好让我瞧得更明白
一人瞪着狼眼看我
一人摘下帽子
好让我瞧得更明白
所有人都问
你是否还记得我
陌生的老翁老妪
依次掠走
记忆中少男少女的名字
我问其中的一个
告诉我老伙计
乔治·柯嘉
是否还活着？
我就是他答
声音来自另一个世界
我摸着他的脸颊
心中默问：告诉我
我是否还活着
Michelle Moloney King 