If time were a bolt of cloth, cotton

如果时间是一卷布，棉质

print flecked with pterodactyls,

印花点缀着翼龙，

I’d opt for leather.

我会选择皮革。

Motorcycle jackets, deerskin

摩托夹克，鹿皮

panties. I’d stalk mammals

裤衩儿。我会尾随哺乳动物

along denim highways, dream

沿着丹宁高速路，造梦

between their oily pelts, or else

在它们油亮的皮毛间，或者

I’d be a historian chart progress

我会是一个史学家

by the size of the moth holes.

以衣蛾蛀洞的尺寸，丈量历史进程。

I’d inspect settlements split

我会沿着磨损线头

along fray lines, seaside towns

侦察居住地的分裂，海滨城镇

drowned in blue damask, reefy tapestries.

淹没于蓝色锦缎，珊瑚挂毯

Later, I’d be revered for my role

后来，我会赢得尊重

in emancipating the spiders

因为解放蜘蛛

and silkworms. I’d live to see my silhouette

与蚕。我会活着看见我的剪影

patchworked into public squares. Still,

拼接进公共广场。却仍然

there’d be no way to stop the great unravelling.

无法终止宏大的拆解

I would tan my own hide to save it.

我会将自己制成皮革，求其保全。