对于我这样的70后，《大约在冬季》里系着一个年代，与青涩、萌动、惆怅重重叠叠。似乎是86年左右，我上初二，磁带封面上的齐秦，一袭紧身黑衣，蓬头细腿，神色冷峻，耳目一新。一曲《大约在冬季》，在耳机里缠绵反侧，愁绪漫卷而来，让不知愁的少年拼却一醉。讲台上浮动着数学老师一张一翕的嘴，我面前铺着刚发下的卷子，鲜红的叉叉，鬼魅般影影绰绰。

20多年后的今天，北京降下09年的第一场大雪，一场倒春寒正席卷南方，武汉从前几天的温煦坠入冰窖。我坐在窗前翻译《大约在冬季》，冷雨飘零，春寒料峭，沉沉的阴霾压下来，催生所有关于冬季的回忆，像艾略特在《荒原》里写道，“winter kept us warm, covering earth in forgetful snow.....”

轻轻地我将离开你

Quietly I take my leave
请将眼角的泪拭去

Please wipe away your tears
漫漫长夜里未来日子里

In endless nights of the days to come
亲爱的你别为我哭泣

My love, shed no tears and be strong.

前方的路虽然太凄迷

The road ahead is gloomy enough
请在笑容里为我祝福

Yet smile a blissful smile in my behalf.
虽然迎着风虽然下着雨

Despite all the wind and rain I shall stand
我在风雨之中念着你

in the storm you are always on my mind

没有你的日子里

when you are not around
我会更加珍惜自己

I will make every day count.  
没有我的岁月里

In the days without me

你要保重你自己

My love, careful as can be!

你问我何时归故里

“When will you come back?” you asked
我也轻声地问自己

While in my ears the same question was cast.
不是在此时不知在何时

Not this moment is all I know
我想大约会是在冬季

Possibly in winter when it shall snow!

不是在此时不知在何时

Not this moment is all I know
我想大约会是在冬季

Possibly in winter when it shall snow!