A Corn Kernel is Running (Yu Xiuhua poem translation)

[hazevi]

A Corn Kernel is Running
by Yu Xiuhua

It's faster than a gust of fall wind, it's faster than a chain of train cars
It's faster than the corn cob pursuing it
It cannot be halted by the flowing rivers, or flood season when the fish flail upstream
It cannot be delayed by the rolling hills, or an affair with the red maples
It cannot pace among the echoing calls of geese

Indeed, so small, it is
The world so big
It must hurry to the other end of its life before the sky grows dark
It ought to pass by autumn-gale's tomb, pass by snow, pass by spring's pains
It cannot stop even for a moment, not even for a moment

Passing by those cities, passing by neon lights and insomnia that laps like the sea
Passing by ancient castles, as well as roses and death

It always upholds the lightning in its heart
the plainest nugget of gold