你能來嗎，隻一小會

邀請--瑪麗.奧利弗

哦，你有時間
出來逍遙麽
隻一小會
把你的忙拋在腦後

對於這群金翅雀
是很重大的日子
在一片紫色薊菊地
它們已聚集好

展開一場音樂競決，
看看有誰能飆出
最高越的音符，
或最低的雄渾之聲，

或最傳神的歡樂，
或最具溫柔表現力？
它們結實的鈍喙
飲著空氣

它們奮力以求
悠揚悅耳
但並非為你
也不為我

甚至不為了獲勝
而是出於純粹喜悅和感恩——
相信我們，它們說，
這可是一件正經的事兒

隻為了鮮活
在這清新的早晨
在這個破碎的世界裏。
我敦求你，

別匆匆走過
而沒停住身形
加入到這場
有些可笑的歌唱中

這或許意味著什麽。
這或許意味著一切。
這可能就是裏爾克所說的意思，他寫道：
你得改變你的生活。

（微笑 譯）

Mary Oliver： Invitation

Oh do you have time
to linger
for just a little while
out of your busy

and very important day
for the goldfinches
that have gathered
in a field of thistles

for a musical battle,
to see who can sing
the highest note,
or the lowest,

or the most expressive of mirth,
or the most tender?
Their strong blunt beaks
drink the air

as they strive
melodiously
not for your sake
and not for mine

and not for the sake of winning
but for sheer delight and gratitude–
believe us, they say,
it is a serious thing

just to be alive
on this fresh morning
in this broken world.
I beg of you,

do not walk by
without pausing
to attend to this
rather ridiculous performance.

It could mean something.
It could mean everything.
It could be what Rilke meant, when he wrote:
You must change your life.