年獸來了by傅詩予

貼春聯  放鞭炮  剁餃餡
是趕年獸還是迎年獸？
我從不相信這個傳說
就像從不相信聖誕老公公
但我假裝相信
這樣就能年年過年

因為年糕一年只能吃一次
因為可以拜天公大團圓
因為有理由尋人啟事
因為有紅包
因為放假
所以五歲以後我開始假裝相信

直到該換我發紅包了
直到該我大掃除了
我才相信真的有年獸
否則我怎會一夜醒來
口袋空空
秀髮星星

選自《詩雕節慶》p.126

“THE YEAR BEAST IS COMING”  by傅詩予

Paste the couplets,
Shoot off the firecrackers,
Chop the dumpling stuffing,
Is it to expel the “Year beast” or to welcome it?
I never believed in that kind of legend,
Same as I never believe in the Santa Claus.
But I pretend to believe,
Then we can celebrate year after year.

Because we can only eat the rice cake once a year,
Because we can pray to God for a Grand reunion,
Because there is a reason to search for someone,
Because of the red envelopes,
Because of the vacation,
So, after the age of five I started pretending to believe.

Until, its time for me to give away the red packets,
Until, it’s time for me to do the thorough house-cleaning,
I started to believe that there really is a “Year beast”,
Otherwise how could I wake up at night
Found my pockets empty.
Found my pretty hair gray?