New Year Steps                 by Li Ya Ren 黎雅仁

Mocked by human comedy,

My fallen Pegasus plods

On the muddy bank of Maryjane lake.

Wavering meteors and dying torches

Shoulder his clipped and stoned wings,

Cynical and useless,

Cynical and useless.

(May rolls of northern timpani,

Dramatize a forgetful winter lane.)

Through the unguarded bleak lane,

Sunbeams cast rays,

Steely winds penetrate.

The icy road bursts

The grey wall shatters,

With the floating sleet and dirt.

Gallop, gallop, gallop

Stepping towards the New Year castle

That emerged yonder,

Pegasus flaps his worn out pair

Again, chin up and springs.

New year is seen, yet not reached.

The closer the castle seems, the farther it is.

Trot, trot, trot

Why so is the human pilgrimage?

Do not ask, my fallen Pegasus.

Let us go,

With me vanish in the violin.

(The poem is inspired by Mogwai’s music, “Xmas Steps”)