之一：多远至天堂
How far is it to Heaven?
As far as Death this way—
Of River or of Ridge beyond
Was no discovery.
How far is it to Hell?
As far as Death this way—
How far left hand the Sepulcher
Defies Topography.
多远至天堂?
其遥如死亡;
越过山与河,
不知路何方.
多远至地狱?
其遥如死亡;
多远左边坟,
地形学难量.
之二： 对人类而言太晚
It was too late for Man -
But early, yet for God -
Creation - impotent to help -
But Prayer - remained - Our Side -
How excellent the Heaven -
When Earth - cannot be had -
How hospitable - then - the face
Of our Old Neighbor God -
对人类而言太晚
可对于上帝还早
创世，虚弱无力的帮助
可剩下的，我们还能够祈祷
当地上不能存在
天堂是何等美妙
那时，我们老邻居上帝的表情
会多么好客，殷勤，周到
注：艾米莉-狄金森 (Emily Dickinson) (1830～1886) ：美国女诗人，写过一千七百多首令人耳目一新的短诗。诗风独特，以文本细腻、观察敏锐、意象突出著称。 题材多半是关于自然、死亡和永生的。
