Wang Jiqian (Wang, 1907-2003)
Cliffs and Boulders Contending in Beauty
A humble attempt to translate my father Anup Sethi's poem सामना (1985)
The mountain of grief stands tall, o child!
You will scrape at it with tender hands.
Not a scratch will you be able to engrave
Slashing at it for a lifetime.
A gravel of tear will float
And the whole world will sprawl into a blur before you.
Just keep your jaw clenched
And if possible, don’t blink.
