ME AND THE SEA

Today, though, I became a stranger to the sea:

As a stopping-off sightseer, it didn’t know me.

Over there, heaving sails were going far-away,

And down here, ripples whispering in calm play.

This scenery was so quiet that I wondered why

Only myself was to face the sea and the sky.

Only myself face-to-face with life had to deal:

Even each little wish faded out, in pain to feel.

Why the sea was in a peaceful state, yet, while

I felt my heart a whole of fire screaming isle

To burn into thin air all of my dreams and hope

So that along a restless life my way I’d grope,

Fragile like a butterfly's wing.  Prospect: Nope!

Translation by THANH-THANH