Four Poems

      

By Chinese Poet Yuan Hongri Translated by Manu Mangattu

Chinese Poet  Yuan Hongri   The Nectar Song   A sieve of my soul I weave with lightning of time And cast it into the interstellar sea of heavens. My giant city of ancient times exists till date Where my golden smile still blossoms forth. The giant words flash about in Space Sprinkling the nectar song from my memory. Lo! It helps you grow massive wings To return to the forlorn Paradise of Gods; The same that has been overlooked a thousand years The eternal kingdom of heaven which knows no years! 2.12. 2018 The Future Kingdom of Giants   Though I might regret for myself when I turn dust As I bid goodbye to this world, I know there exists in the scrapbook of heaven A gorgeous image of mine that often smiles to me in dreams; That my olden words are engraved on primeval stones, Yes! The apocalypse from the gods of heaven and earth! I shall then be a future giant, to have carved The platinum city of giants in the future Kingdom of giants. 1.31.2018 An Outer Wonderland   Every tree is a philosopher. Their roots took shape in the body of the earth; Their domes bathed in the music of sun and stars. To the black loneness in my bones I listened; I saw the ancient flowers from paradise. A giant from mountains gave me an embroidered mirror, Which mirrored a layered outer wonderland. 1.15.2018 A Picture Scroll of the Kingdom of Heaven   When you wake up in a dream of hell And make a return to the city of giant The garden of the sky will float ethereal flowers of gold to you; From a ladder that gyrates to a lofty palace over mountain-tops The prehistoric king of giants shall give you A picture scroll of the kingdom of heaven. 1.11.2018   Bio: Yuan Hongri (born 1962) is a renowned Chinese mystic, poet, and philosopher. His work has been published in the UK, USA, India, New Zealand, Canada, and Nigeria; his poems have appeared in Poet's Espresso Review, Orbis, Tipton Poetry Journal, Harbinger Asylum, The Stray Branch, Acumen, Pinyon Review, Taj Mahal Review, Madswirl, Shot Glass Journal, Amethyst Review, The Poetry Village, and other e-zines, anthologies, and journals. His best known works are Platinum City and Golden Giant. His works explore themes of prehistoric and future civilization.   Manu Mangattu About the Translator Manu Mangattu is an English Professor, poet, editor, director and rank-holder. He has published 7 books, 73 research articles and 36 conference papers apart from 14 edited volumes with ISBN. He serves as chief editor/editor for various international journals. He has done UGC funded projects and a SWAYAM-MOOC course (Rs 15 lakhs). Besides translations from Chinese and Sanskrit, he writes poetry in English as well as in Indian languages. He was named "Comrade to Poetry China" in 2016. A visiting faculty at various universities and a quintessential bohemian-vagabond, he conducts poetry readings, workshops and lectures when inspired. After an apprenticeship in Shakespeare under Dr Stephen Greenblatt, he currently guides 23 research scholars and mentors NET English aspirants.