Appreciation of Poetry: Selected Poems of Ai Qing

Two short poems by Ai Qing

hope

Dream friend

Fantasy sisters

That's my own shadow.

But always walk in front of you

As invisible as light.

As unstable as the wind.

Between her and you

There is always a distance.

Like a bird outside the window.

Like clouds in the sky

Like a butterfly by the river

Cunning and beautiful.

You go up, she flies.

If you ignore her, she will kick you out.

She will always be with you.

Until you stop breathing

I love this land, Ai Qing.

If I were a bird,

I should also sing with a hoarse throat:

This land hit by the storm,

This river of sadness and anger will surge forever,

This endless wind,

And the gentle dawn from the forest ...

And then I died,

Even feathers rot in the ground.

Why do I often cry?

Because I love this land deeply. ...