突然停電，使我確信

A sudden blackout convinces me

我生活在一個發展中國家

this is a developing country

where people read by moonlight,

一個有人在月光下讀書的國家

where the imperial examinations have been abolished.

一個廢除了科舉考試的國家

A sudden blackout brings me

突然停電，使我聽見

from somewhere overhead

小樓上的風鈴聲、貓的腳步聲

the tinkle of windchimes,

the footfalls of a cat.

遠方轉動的馬達戛然而止

身邊的電池收音機還在歌唱

In the distance,

a grumbling motor stumbles into silence,

只要一停電，時間便迅速回轉：

at my side, the battery radio

小飯鋪裏點起了蠟燭

sings on.

那吞吃著烏鴉肉的胖子發現

When the power’s off

樹杈上的烏鴉越聚越多

time leaps backward—

small restaurants light their white candles.

而眼前這一片漆黑呀

多像海水澎湃的子宮

The fat man gobbling crow

sees more and more crows

一位母親把自己吊上房梁

gather on the branches.

每一個房間都有其特殊的氣味

Such deep darkness,

停電。我摸到一隻拖鞋

the surge of the black sea’s womb.

但我叨念著：「火柴，別藏了！」

A mother hangs from the rafter,

在燭光裏，我看到自己

her own scent filling every room.

巨大、無言的影子投映在牆上

Blackout. I grope and find a slipper,

murmuring “Match! Don’t hide!”

In candlelight, I see my shadow

huge, speechless, cast upon the wall.