Roasting Potatoes

by Ning Yaoyu
trs. by Wang Ping

The stove is roasting potatoes
It’s also roasting the floating clouds
I say “I love you,” meaning
I’ve asked myself: Am I willing to die for you
The fire is gone.  In the ash
You find what I treasure the most
Are you lost?
Please wait till I return to the stars
And I’ll roast the night
Till it shines again