Nostalgia / 乡愁

by Yu Guangzhong 
translated by Florence Kewou Ndeuchi, guest contributor

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小时候，
乡愁是一枚小小的邮票，
我在这头，
母亲在那头。

长大后，
乡愁是一张窄窄的船票，
我在这头，
新娘在那头。

后来啊，
乡愁是一方矮矮的坟墓，
我在外头，
母亲在里头。

而现在，
乡愁是一湾浅浅的海峡，
我在这头，
大陆在那头

– 余光中

In my childhood,
Nostalgia was a tiny post stamp,
I was at this side,
and my mother at the other side.

As growing up,
Nostalgia became like fairy ticket,
I was at this side,
and my bride was at the other side.

Oh, years later,
nostalgia became like a lowly grave,
I was outside,
my mother was inside.

Presently,
nostalgia became a narrow strait,
I am at this side,
and the mainland is at the other side.

– Florence Kewou Ndeuchi