I would rather be ashes than dust
I would rather be ashes than dust,
I would rather my spark should burn out in a brilliant blaze,
Than it should be stifled in dry rot.
I would rather be a superb meteor,
With every atom of me in magnificent glow,
Than a sleepy and permanent plant.
-- By Jack London
寧化飛灰,不作浮塵。
舉投熊熊烈火,光盡而滅;
不伴寂寂朽木,默默同腐。
寧為耀目流星,迸發萬丈光茫;
不羨永恆星體,悠悠沈睡終古。
寧作飛灰滅,
豈可逐塵浮。
君看寒光耀目流星夜,
絕勝沉沉天際苦勾留。