Tammy Ho’s review for Raspberries

A cup of fine tea: Anna Yin’s “Raspberries”

There is not a wasted word in Yin’s “Raspberries”. The poem is a concise exploration of a moment; a modern interpretation of the kind of classical Chinese poems in which a specific scene, thought or feeling is condensed and captured in the most economic way. Yet, despite its focus on a particular instant, Yin’s poem still allows for any number of interpretations.

The poet’s inspiration is clearly nature in this work, and throughout the poem, she uses different natural elements in simple yet powerful images. Read more

A silent choice

For some reason,
you become my child—
like a heaven tree
conceives her seeds.

Stars and stones,
satisfaction and soreness,
you become the one
shining in my floral cup.

I want to tell you—
besides roots,
wings you grow.

And for this reason,
I let you go.

铁轨

一群人还在谈着海子,
闪烁的烟头隐现驶近的列车。

窗外已是深秋,一个夏天过去,
知了停住了喧嚣。

你躲进书房,
手指滑过一排书目。
月光映照“安娜卡列琳娜”,
一行铁轨铺在你的面前。

月收拢脸,
一把弯刀,
沉甸甸的玉米地里
听得到收割声,
流水声。