A parrot of irritation sits

⼀只烦躁的鹦鹉

on my shoulder, pecks

停在我肩上，啄着

at my head, ruffling his feathers

我的头，在我⽿边

in my ear. He repeats

抖动⽻⽑。它重复

everything I say, like a child

我说的每⼀句话，像故意

trying to irritate the parent.

惹恼⽗母的孩⼦。

Too much to do today: the dracena

太多事今天要做：龙⾎树

that's outgrown its pot, a mountain

撑破了花盆，账单

of bills to pay and nothing in the house

堆成⼭，家⾥

to eat. Too many clothes need washing

又没什么吃的。太多⾐服要洗，

and the dog needs his shots.

狗也该去打针。

It just goes on and on, I say

真是没完没了啊，我喃喃

to myself, no one around, and catch

⾃语，四周⽆⼈，我听见⾃⼰

myself saying it, a ball hit so straight

脱口⽽出的话，像击出的球

to your glove you'd have to be

不偏不倚，直⼊⼿套

blind not to catch it. And of course

除⾮瞎了眼，怎会接不住。

I hope it does go on and on

当然，我希望这⼀切真的能

forever, the little pain,

永远延续下去，这点⼩烦恼，

the little pleasure, the sun

这点⼩快乐，

a blood orange in the sky, the sky

太阳像天边的⾎橙

parrot blue and the day

天空是鹦鹉蓝，⽩昼

unfolding like a bird slowly

像⼀只鸟缓缓展开翅膀，

spreading its wings, though I know,

虽然我知道，⼀旦说出口，

saying it, that it won't.

这愿望就不会成真。