Homesick

by Yu Guangzhong

When I was a child，my homesickness was a small stamp.

Linking Mum at the other end and me this.

When grown up，I remained homesick，but it became a ticket.

By which I sailed to and from my bride at the other end.

Then homesickness took the shape of a grave，

Mum inside of it and me outside.

Now I’m still homesick， but it is a narrow strait，

Separating me on this side and the mainland on the other.

鄉 愁

小時候，鄉愁是一枚小小的郵票，

我在這頭，母親在那頭。

長大后，鄉愁是一張窄窄的船票，

我在這頭，新娘在那頭。

后來啊!鄉愁是一方矮矮的墳墓，

我在外頭，母親在里頭。

而現在，鄉愁是一灣淺淺的海峽，

我在這頭，大陸在那頭。