RIVERS IN AMSTERDAM

a city at nightfall in November

and nothing but Amsterdam's rivers

suddenly

the orange on the tree back home

is shaking in the autumn winds

I close the window, but it's no use

the rivers flow backward, but it's no use

the sun inlaid with pearls has risen

but it's no use

pigeons flutter like iron filings

streets without boys suddenly seem empty

after the autumn rain

that roof crawling with snails

– my native land

slowly sailing by on Amsterdam's rivers..

IN ENGLAND

once church spires and city chimneys sink below the horizon

England's skies are gloomier than lovers' whispers

two blind accordion players walk by, heads bowed

without peasants, there would be no evening prayers

without tombstones, there would be no declaimers

two rows of newly planted apple trees sting my heart

it is my wings that bring me fame, it is England

that makes me reach the place where I was lost

memories, but no longer leaving furrows

shame is my address

in all of England, there's not one woman who will not kiss

all of England is too small for my pride

in mud hidden in the cracks of my nails, I

recognize my native land – mother

stuffed into a small parcel, and sent far away...

 (Tr. by Maghiel van Crevel)

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Duo Duo (1951- ), a native of Beijing, now lives in Haikou, Hainan Province. He is the author of several books of poetry including Salute,The Road Traveled: Selected Poems by Duoduo (1972-1988), Amsterdam's Rivers, Selected Poems by Duoduo,etc .

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