Wu Chin-shien / 吳俊賢
Wu Chin-shien (b. 1995)received his PhD from School of Forestry, Auburn University, USA in 1994. He has been the Senior Scientist and Chief Secretary of TFRI since 2012. He was a part-time associate professor in Chinese Culture University from 1996 to 2004, and taught Forest Management, Forestry Economics, and other. His poem won Wu Zhuoliu New Poetry Prize in 1985.
e-mail:johnwu@tfri.gov.tw
Roots / 樹根
With the roots of a tree to firmly grasp the earth
with both hands to firmly grasp you
don’t let the unfeeling winds and rains
stir your heart
We cannot let ourselves be buried
in the washout of love
With the roots of a tree to firmly grasp the earth
with sympathy to firmly grasp human nature
don’t let seeds of enmity
erode your heart
We cannot let ourselves sink
in the washout of society
With the roots of a tree to firmly grasp the earth
with wisdom to firmly grasp the human heart
don’t let the sadness of history
inundate this beautiful island
We cannot let ourselves go astray
in the washout of politics
I beg the good earth to firmly grasp the roots
I beg of you to firmly grasp me
Please let the unfeeling winds and rains
wash the dust from our hearts
Please let the unfeeling washout
devour our confusing fate
Please let me firmly grasp you
as roots firmly grasp the earth
Please firmly grasp me
as my mother firmly grasped me
You are the roots of my life
grasp firmly my country and land
Song of the Lotus Pond / 蓮華池之歌
In the fir woods surrounded by mountains in Nantou
there are many unassuming lotus flowers
honest in posture
leisurely growing in the pond
In the polluted city jungles
there is a solitary lotus flower
pure-scented in savor
maintaining itself in the pond with dignity
In beautiful forests of the remote West
are countless lotus flowers riotously blooming
thriving on the joys of meditation
enlightening each moment in distant ponds