Επιμέλεια: Εύα Πετροπούλου Λιανού
On my top left side
and to the opposite right side, the sun reaches simultaneously
above the South and North
a lamplight like the first glimmer of dawn illuminates the nightfall
the other side of the path
blurs the line between future and present
like characters drawn on and on
with different strokes of the same writing brush,
one needs to read carefully to understand
like this restlessly jumping thoughts
a tomorrow that cannot be stopped nor predicted
like weather, sunny days or rainy days
yet the air always draws me awake
when wandering sunrise reaches the window
penetrating every inch of darkness
every pore releases a burning desire
like pumpkin vine in the garden growing dreams at night
maybe it is composing a poem
it is different from the other vines
so luxuriant growing upward and bearing great fruit
like she never painted before
but, in her heart, there is already an exhibition hall
do those invisible works truly exist?
or there is just the background of a painting
that leads me into the light beyond the center of my palm
standing far away
sitting upright…
the sun rises over the world like the sound of wheels
taking a never imagined journey
IF I WERE A STAR by Anna Keiko
If I were a star,
I would wait for you at your window at night.
If I were a cloud in summer,
I would soften the warmth of sun above you.
If I were the wind,
I would gently blow your face when you sweat.
If I were a bird, I would sing for you day and night.
But I am but an ant
longing to fly like an
eagle seeing you from the sky and settling close to you.
If I were a star
When love comes by Anna Keiko
when you pass through the soul
like divine light permeates the thick darkness,
dawn comes, darkness hides,
the glimpse of sunlight is like the melody of love
I am charmed by the colors of the mountains like a shepherd boy
a heavenly creation
where the spring scenery of love is warm enough
to calm the heart
wonderful joy
enters every inch of skin
a charming morning
sweeter than anything
no more worries,
sadness or hardships
however,
when I don’t get any news for a while
as if the mountains were sloping,
unable to extricate and disengage themselves,
bitter tears well out
he’s still like Apollo,
shines where needed,
the fire of love that once erupted
gradually turns to ashes
Biography: Anna Keiko, a distinguished poetess and essayist from Shanghai, China, has made a profound impact on contemporary literature. A graduate of Shanghai East China University with a Bachelor’s degree in Law, she has achieved global recognition for her poetry, which has been translated into more than 30 languages and published in over 500 journals, magazines, and media outlets across 40 countries. Keiko is the founder and chief editor of the ACC Shanghai Huifeng Literature Association and serves as a Chinese representative and director of the International Cultural Foundation Ithaca. Her affiliations extend to Immagine & Poesia in Italy and the Canadian-Cuban Literary Union, reflecting her commitment to fostering cross-cultural literary exchanges. Her poetic oeuvre spans six collections, including “Lonely in the Blood and Absurd Language”, showcasing her exploration of human emotions, environmental concerns, and existential themes. Her innovative style and evocative imagery have earned her numerous accolades, such as the 30th International Poetry Award in Italy and the World Peace Ambassador Certificate in 2024. Notably, she was the first Chinese recipient of the Cross-Cultural Exchange Medal for Significant Contribution to World Poetry, awarded in the United States in 2023. Her works, including “Octopus Bones” and other acclaimed poems, have resonated with readers worldwide, garnering invitations to prominent international poetry festivals and conferences. Her dedication to the arts extends beyond poetry, encompassing prose, essays, lyrics, and drama, underscoring her versatility as a writer. Nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2020, Anna Keiko continues to break barriers, bringing Chinese literature to the global stage.
