2024-09-21

Translation: Homesick (Yu Guangzhong)
(translated by: alexcwlin; edited by: Adam Lam)

小时候，

When I was small,
乡愁是一枚小小的邮票，

a square of small stamp made me “homesick”.
我在这头，母亲在那头。

I was here and Mother was over there.

长大后，

After I grew up,
乡愁是一张窄窄的船票，

a piece of slender boat-ticket made me “homesick”.
我在这头，新娘在那头。

I was here and my bride was over there.

后来啊，

Afterwards,
乡愁是一方矮矮的坟墓，

a rectangle of low-lying grave-plot made me “homesick”.
我在外头，母亲在里头。

I was outside and Mother was inside.

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而现在，

And now,

乡愁是一湾浅浅的海峡，

a strait of shallow water makes me homesick.
我在这头，大陆在那头。

I am here and mainland is over there.