This is Ex-Colored man--he doesn't have any other name--

这个曾是黑人的人他没有别的名字
describing what he sees

描述道他的所见所闻
"A railroad tie was sunk into the ground

"一根铁路的枕木插在地里
The rope was removed and a chain brought

受刑人身上的绳索没有了
and securely coiled around the victim and the stake

取而代之的是坚固的锁链
There he stood, a man only in form and stature

他站在那里如同一座雕塑
His eyes were full and vacant,

他的双眼空洞无神
indicating not a single ray of thought

流露不出一丝的想法
Fuel was brought from everywhere; oil, the torch,

各处集中来的燃料油火炬
the flames crouched for an instant as though to gather strength,

火焰踌躇了一下好似在积攒能量
then leaped up as high as the victim's head

之后火焰飞跃起来直逼他的额头
He squirmed, he writhed, he strained at his chains,

他开始不安在锁链中挣扎