The Mute Stone: The Poetry of Ya Shi

Many of us enjoy reading poems for a number of different reasons. Some of us like reading them to improve our verbal skills, whilst others enjoy the critical thinking involved in understanding the real meaning behind a couplet or tercet.

Now more than ever, we have access to poetry that has been written across the world, providing us with access to poets from as far as China, thanks to translation services. We’re taking a closer look at one poets’ work, Ya Shi; who for the first time has had his work translated into English.

Who Is Ya Shi?

Ya Shi was born in the city of Guang’an in the Sichuan province and won the opportunity to study at Beijing University, which leads him to where he is today. In addition to teaching mathematics to university students, Ya Shi is an award-winning poet. To be precise, he is the author of four collections of poetry and one prose piece, with the name ‘Ya Shi’ (a pen name), meaning “mute stone”. His work has been featured in many online and printed magazines and publications, some of which has appeared in Poetry International and New Cathay: Contemporary Chinese Poetry.

Fellow poets and other individuals from across the globe have expressed their interest in Ya Shi’s work. Nick Admussen is just one individual, who has translated the famous poet’s work alongside many others including Zang Di and Liu Xiaobo. Previously he has stated that he has seen “no other contemporary poet think so deeply and patiently about the intellectual uses of wild space in China today.” Since then, more of Ya Shi’s incredible work has been translated into the English language.

Recent English Translations

Several of Ya Shi’s poems have been translated into English, bringing joy to more people across the globe. Though not all six collections of poetry are available just yet, we hope that they will become available in the near future. Why not give them a read?

“Fragment”

Otherwise known under the title of “Floral Mutter”, Fragment is just one of Ya Shi’s many poems that has now been translated into English.

“Untitled”

A total of two poems written by Ya Shi were published by the Eleven Eleven magazine in English. These were “Rock Moths” and “Untitled”.

The poem “Untitled” went on to be nominated for a Best of the Net award, which is considered as a very prestigious award for a poet or writer – and it’s easy to see why.

The words used in this poem help to bring it to life, with each sentence bouncing off of the page:

“I can’t forget the rich blue-purple of the wild grapes:
come from the thirst of the flesh and its dream
infected with addicted to opening fingers of fireworks
without looting just gradually making everything sway
look the valley’s melancholy overflows into weak light
is the resting dove’s yellow cinnamon still cinnamon
and is it the last lingering tree?”

– Ya Shi, “Untitled”

Feature: Chinese Literature Today

More of Ya Shi’s inspirational work was publish in Chinese Literature Today. The issue itself focuses on three key terms: “avant-garde theatre”, “experimental theatre” and “little theatre” and included an introduction to his poetry and four of the poet’s experimental prose pieces.

Feature: Two Lines Magazine

Following the redesign of the Two Lines magazine, the publisher printed a total of four poems written by Ya Shi in the paper edition of the magazine. Two of these poems were also published online.

Caught your interest? Get in touch to find out more about our publishing translation services at Talking Heads.