They, the Women
她们
Xiao Min
筱敏
Even the street lamps are tired,
连路灯也困倦了
Feebly blinking their eyes to stay awake.
明明灭灭地耷拉着眼睛。
Over the clodded brick streets,
布满砖坯和土坷垃的路上，
They walk to their night-shifts;
走来了上夜班的她们。
They've just put their thumb-sucking toddlers
刚刚把嘬着手指头的孩子
In cots at the daycare center;
放进托婴室的摇床；
Just unwillingly flung on their heavy uniforms
刚刚嘟着嘴换上厚实实的工装
After folding away their light skirts;
叠起了轻盈的连衣裙；
Steamed ready the buns and dumplings
刚刚蒸熟了明天一家五口的
For their families' meals tomorrow;
馒头和韭菜包子；
Just taken leave of the old ones' sickbeds
刚刚离开老人的病床，匆匆忙忙
And counted the countless ration coupons for rice, oil…
点了一下点不清的粮油票证……
Everyone is sound asleep.
一切都睡着了，睡着了，
But they walk on, rubbing their sleepy eyes,
她们揉着眼睛走到一起，
Cursing the evening breeze that refuses to sing.
抱怨着也不给她们唱个歌儿的晚风。
Even the breeze is asleep,
连晚风也睡着了，
Only a few weary stars are left in the sky.
只剩下几颗已经疲劳的星星。
And on the streets trudged smooth by feet,
由脚印铺平的道路上，
They walk to their night-shifts,
走来了上夜班的她们。
They've just parted from the white swan
刚刚在剧场里恋恋不合地
Gliding with such grace in the play;
告别了飞翔的白天鹅，
Just solved a few equations bending
刚刚伏在中学生的课桌上
Over desks;
解出了几道二次方程；
Just locked carefully away their sons' diplomas
刚刚把儿子的毕业证书
In the newly acquired dresser;
锁进新打的五斗橱里；
Just blushed a response to that strange
刚刚在凉沁沁的台阶上红着脸儿
Annoying enquiry on the cool steps…
回答了那个怪神秘又怪恼人的问询……
Everything is stilled, profoundly still.
一切都沉寂了，沉寂了，
But they merrily walk together,
她们嘻嘻哈哈地走到一起，
Embarking on a journey between today and tomorrow.
开始了今天和明天交接的行程。
And I am one of them,
我是她们当中
The curly-haired girl who believes men can fly;
那个总相信人会飞的卷发姑娘。
I am one of them,
我是她们当中
The one mother who tells stories about mermaids,
那个会讲小人鱼故事的母亲。
I am that one magical lantern
我是她们当中那盏
Forever elusive, forever aflame.
总也抓不住，总也吹不灭的神灯。
I'm the nightingale guarding the night passage,
我是那只守候在夜路上
Visible only to them.
只有她们才能看见的夜莺。
All my songs are sung for them,
我的歌都是为她们唱的呵，
All my poems are written, entirely
我的诗全都是、全都是
Written
写给
For them.
她们。