Translated from the Burmese by Toe Kyaw Hlaing

Evening Just After the Rain

Water has flowed With a murmur like a harp
so old The sky Where birds of no refuge
roam and repose Is the evening clear and
nice?
Ripples collide head-t-head As big waves tie
gloomy sadness To the trees on the bank of their
own snake A white lily composing the rainy days
Looks gracious and placid in the muddy lake.
Do count the stars above As some
cover themselves up Some seen
sparkling Like the first smile, they
flash up.
Warm and sharp redolence of the earth soil
Cleanliness if a child A single thing left in
memory Green grassy land in obscurity Water
has flowed indefinitely.

_

Rhythm of the Summer

Not a poem is life, But an abstract painting, Composed
murkily of imaginary figures.
Like a string of romantic flowers, Music of youngness;
And sweet melodies: Let’s have a dance with friends
During the festival of the Spring Happiness resounds
like the beating of open drums.
The sweet-dreaming night To be continued with no
retrace In life, in fact, Only moments of impermanence
would be permanent.
Don’t be disappointed, Dear friend, Let’s find shade,
and think of a poem Only when the tree loses its
youngness and beauty Like a repeated tape Let’s not
say any word of sorrow.
If to compensate
Compensated with purity.
Should that need not washing
Would be raised like a banner
Up above the sky Birds tried to find a new way
while flying.