Tin Moe

Tin Moe HOME
Tin Moe Each With Its Own Grace The moon shines in its own light, its own glow. The little torch too with its own reach, its own fang. The little jasmine with its own fame, its own bud. The yellow Badauk* in its own season, with its own scent. The deep wide river has its patterns, its own waves. The curly creek flows with its own stream, its own ferry. This, that, and everything— each a beauty in its own right. Nature blesseth everyone with charm and power as its gift. Be not jealous, hold no grudge; envy maketh ugliness. With its own clout, in its own pace, in the right time, at the right place, each finds its role, its own purpose, proves capable in its own measure. Translated by Kenneth Wong (Badauks or Padauks are the yellow flowers that bloom yearly during April, the time for Burmese new year). from With a Lantern of Hope No sun, no moon, can be seen on the Norwegian beach. Wearing the robe of mist going up the Scandinavian mountain with a shaken, broken voice singing a home-sick song. Someday I will surely arrive at some point. Though our homeland is under darkness it will be short-lived. [..] Tears a strand of grey hair a decade gone. In those years the honey wasn't sweet mushrooms wouldn't sprout farmlands were parched ... from Bones will Crow, Northern Illinois University Press, 2013

Each With Its Own Grace

The moon shines
in its own light, its own glow.

The little torch too
with its own reach, its own fang.

The little jasmine
with its own fame, its own bud.

The yellow Badauk*
in its own season, with its own scent.

The deep wide river
has its patterns, its own waves.

The curly creek flows
with its own stream, its own ferry.

This, that, and everything—
each a beauty in its own right.

Nature blesseth everyone
with charm and power
as its gift.

Be not jealous, hold no grudge;
envy maketh
ugliness.

With its own clout, in its own pace,
in the right time, at the right place,
each finds its role, its own purpose,
proves capable in its own measure.

Translated by Kenneth Wong
(Badauks or Padauks are the yellow flowers that bloom yearly during April, the time for Burmese new year).

from

With a Lantern of Hope

No sun, no moon, can be seen
on the Norwegian beach.
Wearing the robe of mist
going up the Scandinavian mountain
with a shaken, broken voice
singing a home-sick song.

Someday
I will surely arrive at some point.

Though our homeland is under darkness
it will be short-lived.

[..]

Tears
a strand of grey hair
a decade gone.

In those years
the honey wasn't sweet
mushrooms wouldn't sprout
farmlands were parched ...
from Bones will Crow, Northern Illinois University Press, 2013