First thought - try
to hold that.
The shooting star
that lit up your mind.
First thought - strike
like the stooping falcon!
Don't chase like a hawk
from tree to tree.
You cast the noose,
think you've caught it,
try to catch it in
snare and net.
Draw the bow, release
your arrow from the string
- that game has
fleet foot and wing.
First thought - long
do its track glow,
yet you sit empty-handed
with a web of words.
First thought
draws forth others,
hounds hunting
in the shadows.
Endure the night, keep
the fire burning,
you may catch prey,
but not the one.
And should the king himself
enter - let go,
stand in the radiance
of his first sign.
最初的靈感──試著
將它抓牢。
點亮你心靈的
流星。
最初的靈感──出擊
有如俯衝而下的獵隼。
而不是在樹與樹間
追逐獵物的鷹鳥。
你投出套索
認為必定手到擒來
試著以陷阱和漁網
將它捕捉。
拉滿弓膛,放出
弦上的箭
──那獵物早已
蹬著腿或鼓著翅膀逃離。
最初的靈感──盤桓
留下發光的軌跡,
但你一無所獲,坐困於
文字的網羅。
最初的靈感
牽引出其他的靈感,
獵狗伏在影子中
伺機撲向獵物。
捱過這漫長夜晚,讓
火光保持燃燒,
你也許能有所獲,
但不會是你最想要的。
若是國王親自
降臨──請別抵抗,
就立於他帶來的徵兆
散發出的光輝中。