杰克·吉尔伯特：试图让某些东西留下

柳向阳 译



当我去那儿的时候，有一种
对悲伤的巨大的温柔。她知道
我多么爱我妻子，我们没有将来。
我们像濒危的伤者互相支持，
等待着结束的时候。此时我疑惑
我们是否明白那些丹麦的下午
是多么快乐。大多时候我们不说话。
通常我照顾婴儿而她做着
家务事。给他换尿布，逗他笑。
每次把他高高抛起之前我会轻轻说
匹兹堡。我的嘴贴着他的小耳朵
低声说匹兹堡然后把他
抛得更高。匹兹堡和快乐高高向上。
留下哪怕是最细微的痕迹的唯一办法。
这样她儿子在整个一生中都会无法解释地
感到高兴，当任何人说起那座衰败的
美国钢城。几乎每次都会记起
已经遗忘但也许重要的某些东西。


Trying to Have Something Left Over 

There was a great tenderness to the sadness 
when I would go there. She knew how much 
I loved my wife and that we had no future. 
We were like casualties helping each other 
as we waited for the end. Now I wonder 
if we understood how happy those Danish 
afternoons were. Most of the time we did not talk. 
Often I took care of the baby while she did 
housework. Changing him and making him laugh. 
I would say Pittsburgh softly each time before 
throwing him up. Whisper Pittsburgh with 
my mouth against the tiny ear and throw 
him higher. Pittsburgh and happiness high up. 
The only way to leave even the smallest trace. 
So that all his life her son would feel gladness 
unaccountably when anyone spoke of the ruined 
city of steel in America. Each time almost 
remembering something maybe important that got lost.