Nüshu text by Professor Zhao Liming
Translation
Beside a well,
one does not thirst.
Beside a sister,
one does not despair.
My dearest sister
The spirits have given their blessing
sending you to me as I
enter the month
You will mix the herbs I will drink
to strengthen my mind and make
my body willing
You will build the birth hut
arrange the straw bed
Your strong arms will hold me
bearing me up
as I push my hurting child
through to life
Together we will implore the spirits
to deliver me
a son
My gratitude,
as is our bond,
unending
Ellecee
Inspired by the prompt from
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I love the translation at the top. So beautiful. Your poem is wonderful, painting the scene so vividly I can see her, with her sister supporting her as her "hurting child" is born. I loved this. You took me there.
ReplyDeleteThis is as real as it can get. Beautiful, deep and touching!💜
ReplyDeleteGood writing. Stark and heartbreaking.
ReplyDeleteUtterly believable (and moving) as something which would indeed be said between such "sisters".
ReplyDelete