POEM TRANSLATION ECHOES 457, WITH NOTES
TINKER AND TUMBLE
（叮当和滾落）
storm, light and thunder
風暴雷鸣光
flashes on face across frame
在框架上闪过脸
thermos on the table
金瓶在桌上
curtains to cover
窗帘以遮蓋
fiery flare and fire farther
燃燒火焰閃更遠
cross by clear conscience
良心的交叉
awakened by awe
被敬畏喚醒
tinkering thought strike in rain
叮当心思雨中撞
tumble out of bed
从床上滾落
Note:
I prefer to stay in a room with a window, facing a park, as shown in the picture. In a stormy night, the lightning flashes across the window frame. I was awakened by the salvoes of loud thunder. I woke up to pull the curtains. I then moved the metal thermos and hand phone away from the window, afraid it might be a target for the thunder. Initially it was a biological response, but the train of thought went berserk, initiated by pangs of transgression.
Living as decent as possible in a market driven world, it is doubtful that any soul can have a clear conscience. Crossing my heart, it is not possible to live well without any blame or stain. Even with the best aspiration to begin a medical career, we pick up specks of dust and dirt in the training, side tracked by the lure of medical, pharmaceutical, diary , nutritional ,agricultural and allied industries; changing guidelines and sponsorships; not updated evidence based science, good and faked alternative care; thoughts on family, work-life balance, income and responsibilities. Indeed how to be free and blameless in so varied domain.
The heavy rainfall strikes on the ground, river and air conditioning metal units, producing tinkering sound, reminiscent of simple yester years. The fear of being strike by thunder, even indoors, is minimal, but is reported, with all our electronic devices and metals exposed to outside. The awe, initiated endless circular thinking, causing insomnia. The lightning and thunder trigger fear, thoughts set in ad infinitum, causing sleeplessness. To break the vicious cycle, I fell out of bed, penned it down on papers, relieved by the out pouring of emotion, returned to sleep soundly.
The first picture is Pinnacle Duxton; the second are rows of refurnished old heritage building along Ann Siang Hiil. All pictures are taken in Singapore.
wonkywizard 