POEM TRANSLATION ECHOES 496 WITH NOTES
BULGARIAN BULWARK
（保加利亞堡垒）
city clings on cliff
城鎮懸崖挂
ruined castle and church wound
毁坏城堡和教堂
around the river
缠绕着河流
old bulwark fortress
旧時城堡垒
good vibe lazing around lane
巷子悠閒好感应
with artistic craft
与工业艺术
long queue at the church
在教堂排隊
confession to Sofia
向索菲亚表忏悔
sins without sinners
犯者无罪孽
hermit hidden deep
隱士深藏着
in forested mountain caves
在林中深處山洞
miracles for sick
为疾病奇迹
Note:
Living at the edge, both physically and mentally, are always memorable and unusual. The ruined castle and churches reminded of war and destruction. Whether killed or be killed, the living always live with hurt and wound, which wind or wrapped around the twist and turn or river of life.
No matter how fortified the fortress was built, they were destroyed in war, leaving behind memories for future generation to sing in praise or blame. Shedding off historical burden, it is a good feeling simply just to laze around. I enjoy watching the artisan skills and artifacts, without further cluttering my house.
In another city, I saw many majestic churches, with their named patron saints. In one Catholic church, there was a queue for confession. In this world, none of us are perfect; we have all sinned. If I were to queue, my narration of sins would be long, frustrated the time wait in the line. My tour guide would not wait for me. There were or are sins without sinners, otherwise the creator could be blamed for the imperfections.
Moving ahead, we arrived at the popular Rila Monastry. We heard stories about the hermit and his miracle cures, and thus the sainthood bestowed. Without all these religion, we would miss out these magnificent buildings within the great mountains, with their fresco, icons, wood carving and rituals. Though religions are often linked to war and conflict, they are due to failings of believers, especially the leaders, than the belief per se. Thus some believe in God without the labels, but it is the name or brand that bonds. Maybe it is the language and cultures that divides beings (awareness) with varied consciousness.
wonkywizard 