shared my brother yong siu’s beautiful poem on Facebook today.

decided to post it also. 🙂

…with my translation –

烛光 诗/摄影 郭永秀

candle light poem/photography by quek yong siu

当光明放弃了一切

when light deserted all

无形的力量倏地消失无踪

its (unseen) formless power abruptly disappeared without trace

世界如一具瘫痪的躯体

the world is like a paralysed shell

在惊愕与慌乱之中

in the midst of consternation & confusion

你是唯一的依傍

you are the only refuge

停电的刹那，你的出现

at the moment of blackout, your appearance

是荒岛上遥远的渴望

is the distant yearning on a desert island

若水平线上哗然升起的

like breaking onto the horizon of a

桅杆，是众人心中一轮

ship’s mast, and within the hearts of all

朝阳，疾升而上

a morning sun, rising

是乌云脱困的 满月

a full moon, breaking out from the dark clouds

当黑暗刺伤所有的

with darkness hurting our

眼睛，你以闪烁颤抖的剑锋

eyes, your flickering light like a vibrating sword

轻柔的彩笔，描绘出

like a gentle colour pencil, sketches out

众人眸中的影象

the images in our eyes

愉快的自焚

the pleasure of self immolation

如勇者牺牲自我的

the self sacrifice of the courageous

壮烈，如智者之洞悉

heroic, like the wise with insight

天机，如生命之火 

into heavenly wisdom, like the fire of life

不因最终的熄灭

that will not allow a dying flame

而停止 燃烧

to stop burning

某年某日，某人

some day, someone

在你晃动的手势中低头闭目

bowing her head & closing her eyes upon your spirited flicker

以虔敬的心，喃喃自语

with a reverent heart, whispering a wish

对着一排微笑的眼睛

facing rows of smiling eyes

潮水般的祝福，沸腾的

offering a tidal of blessings, passionate

歌声和掌声

song & applause

感恩，并将你吹熄

& in thanksgiving, blows out the candle