Poems by Chen Hsiu–chen陳秀珍（Taiwan）
Translated by Te-chang Mike Lo

[Tamsui 2023]

1.
Paintings are silent talking
Talking is colorful paintings
The boat quietly paints over the waves of time
100 pages have been torn from the calendar
I can only paint one piece of talking for you
I use dots to highlight, I use lines to extend
I use blocks of colors to pile and stack the layers
Abstract thou—ghts—-

3
There is no reason for the setting sun to monopolize the sky anymore
Who will hang the fullest moon up high?
Who will light up the fattest loneliness in the night sky of Tamshui?
Who will claim that face that gets lost in the crowd?

4
Will you hear my waves and tides?
Will you see my starry sky?
Will you kiss my roses?
Will you touch my heart?
Here is a poetry collection for you

5
Your distant shore is at my feet
The river you want to play in is flowing before my eyes
The waves you want to listen to are on the route of my walks
The rain you long for often comes knocking at my window
I will use your eyes, to honor my small town
Use your ears, to recognize the sadness and happiness of the sea breeze
Use my heart, to measure your heart.

6.
O night, spit out all your tenderness
I want to dip into your thickest ink
And render it into moonlight

8
Poems that make the heart palpitate remain in dreams
Love that makes people cry stays in movies
Sea breeze that hypnotizes women to believe in love
How many movies’ are reflected in Tamsui River