我已经学会

I have learned

生活会继续，

that life goes on,

或者不会。

or doesn't.

日子以极小的份额

That days are measured out

被量取出来，

in tiny increments

像一个女人在厨房里

as a woman in a kitchen

用茶匙量出

measures teaspoons

肉桂、香草精，

of cinnamon, vanilla,

或半杯糖，

or half a cup of sugar

放进碗中。

into a bowl.

我已经学会

I have learned

某些时刻像肉豆蔻一样珍贵，

that moments are as precious as nutmeg,

我也忽然意识到

and it has occurred to me

那些忙乱的打岔

that busy interruptions

像细小的谷蛾，

are like tiny grain moths,

或者老鼠。

or mice.

它们啃咬、撒尿、拉屎，

They nibble, pee, and poop,

或者生出小虫和细网，

or make their little worms and webs

直到你不得不把好的东西

until you have to throw out the good stuff

和坏的一起丢掉。

with the bad.

经历两次死亡，

It took two deaths

我自己差点也到尽头，

and coming close myself

我才终于懂得：

for me to learn

储藏柜里的好东西，

that there is not an infinite supply

并不是无限供应的。

of good things in the pantry.