It was taken some time ago

它是以前什么时候拍的

At first it seems to be

起初它似乎是

a smeared

一个弄脏的

print: blurred lines and grey flecks

印刷品：模糊的线条和灰色斑点

blended with the paper;

在纸上混在一起；

then, as you scan

然后，在你扫描它时，

it, you can see something in the left-hand corner

你能看见左侧

a thing that is like a branch: part of a tree

有一个像树枝的东西：树的一部分

(balsam or spruce) emerging

（冷杉或云杉）隐隐出现

and, to the right, halfway up

而且，伸向右边，中途出现

what ought to be a gentle

一个应该是缓坡的

slope, a small frame house.

东西，一个小房架子。

In the background there is a lake,

在背景中有一个湖泊，

and beyond that, some low hills.

湖那边，是一些低矮的山丘。

(The photograph was taken

（照片是在我溺水后的

the day after I drowned.

那天拍的。

I am in the lake, in the center

我在湖里，在画面的

of the picture, just under the surface.

中央，就在水面之下。

It is difficult to say where

很难确切地说出

precisely, or to say

是什么地方，或者是

how large or how small I am:

我有多大：

the effect of water

光打在水面

on light is a distortion.

扭曲了效果。

but if you look long enough

可假如你看得足够久

eventually

最后

you will see me.)

你将看见我。）