Somebody Has to
Somebody has to go polish2 the stars.
They're looking a little bit dull.
Somebody has to go polish the stars.
For the eagles and starlings3 and gulls4
Have all been complaining they're tarnished5 and worn,
They say they want new ones
We cannot afford.
So please get your rags
And your polishing jars,
Somebody has to go polish the stars.
Reflection
Each time I see the Upside-Down Man
Standing in the water
I look at him and start to laugh
Although I shouldn't be audacious6
For maybe in another world
Another time
Another town
Maybe HE is right side up
总得有人去
一定得有人去把星星擦亮,
它们看起来有点儿昏暗。
一定得有人去把星星擦亮,
因为:
老鹰、八哥和海鸥一直抱怨说它们失去光泽显得陈旧,
说他们要换几个新的星星
但是我们花不起这个钱。
所以请你准备好你的抹布
和你的打蜡罐。
总得有人去把星星擦亮。
倒影
每次我见到水中站着的倒立人,
我就禁不住放声大笑。
也许我不该这么放肆,
因为,也许在另一个世界中,
某个时刻,
某个地方,
或许“他”才是“正”的,
而我却是“反”的。
1. 谢尔·希尔弗斯坦,1930年生于美国芝加哥,1956年开始定期为《花花公子》画漫画,集诗人、插画家、漫画家、剧作家、作曲家、乡村歌手、吉他弹奏等于一身。
2. polish v. 擦亮
3. starling n. 八哥
4. gull ] n. 海鸥
5. tarnish v. 失去光泽
6. audacious adj. 大胆的,无畏的