張子翊

分封的王希律將你下黑牢
可免死，只要給台階（太14:3-4）
何苦堅持至死
說即或不然（但3:18）

提頭來見誰都無妨（太14:10-11）
認同你的說引刀成一快
不認同的說何必呢
留得青山在啊

年邁老母嚎啕。說我兒我兒
憶及初孕馬利亞到訪
隔兩層肚皮呢，纔六月的胎
腹裏你躍動如羚羊（路1:39-45）

未入江湖皮帶腰束
蝗蟲野蜜駱駝毛衣
人說你超時尚環保
纔入江湖瘋傳處處（太3:1-6）

要看甚麼？
風吹動的蘆葦？
穿細軟衣服的有頭有臉
君王貴冑官爺軍頭土豪劣紳？（太11:7-10）

約但河曾洗淨大麻瘋乃縵（王下5:1-8-14）
你撼醒人心。聲嘶力竭：
毒蛇的種類！斧頭已在樹根上
法利賽人撒督該人所有人（太3:7-10）

辯證不辯證都自明：
新郎，抑或新郎的朋友（約3:28）
地上來，抑或天上差來（約3：31）
是那光，抑或點著明燈（約1:6-8）

辯證不辯證都顛覆：
不吃不喝是你，人說被鬼附著
又吃又喝是祂，人說貪食好酒（太11:18-19）
當受洗是你，卻是為祂（太3:13-15）

辯證不辯證都弔詭：
凡婦人所生，無人大過你
天國裏最小的，比你都大（太11:11-15）
誰必興旺？誰必衰微？（約3:29-30）

提頭來見誰都無妨，只想問祂：
“那將要來的，是你嗎？”（太11:2）

2023年8月30日於Boston

責任編輯：潘瀾

John the Baptist, at Fort Machaerus

By Ziyi Chang

In the jail of the tetrarch, your life hangs in the balance,
He’s willing to spare your life if you just keep your silence
Steadfast unto death, you know what’s right, what’s best
But “Even if not” you’ll defy all of Herod’s threats

“Off with your head” is a fate you’ll accept
So echo your friends: “We favor a speedy death”
Those who disagree cry out: “Wait for another matter,
Why risk your head on the king’s platter?”

“My son, my son”, in pain your mother weeps
At the time of Mary’s visit, the unborn baby leaps
Through layers of unknown from inside her womb,
Like an antelope for the reign of Christ is soon

On locusts and honey, attired with camel hair and leather,
You draw people from Jerusalem and Judea together
A trendsetter in fashion and eco-friendly living?
Hearts are on fire from your unconventional teaching

What do we seek there?
Soft reeds in a puff of air?
A ruler dressed in a fine robe?
Or kings, nobles, and officials peddling false hope?

In the shallows of the Jordan, where its waters healed Naaman,
You awaken souls in and around the land
“Axe at the roots, vipers’ brood, hear this solemn command”
Pharisees and Sadducees, you make everyone understand

Debate or not, the answers are plain for all to see:
Bridegroom or friend, who shall the Savior be?
“From above or from the earth?” Let the world hear your plea
A bright light or guiding lamp, whose followers are we?

Debate or not, the most bewildering is witnessed:
The Son of Man receives your baptism for the salvation of the rest
To not eat and drink they call you demon-possessed,
But to eat and drink they declare him a gluttonous guest

Debate or not, a paradox is for all to see:
For all born of woman, none greater could there be
Yet in the Kingdom of heaven, the least is you
He must become greater, you must grow less, in the days that ensure

In search of the answer to the question “is he the Christ?”
The loss of your head is worth the price

08/30/2023 in Boston

Translated by Lance and Brooke Pan