I love this land
by Ai Qing
If I were a bird
I would sing with my hoarse voice
Of this land buffeted by storms
Of this river turbulent with our grief
Of these angry winds ceaselessly blowing
And of the dawn, infinitely gentle over the woods
Then I would die
And even my feathers would rot in the soil
Why are my eyes always brimming with tears?
Because I love this land so deeply