— POEM 𝒃𝒚 Lee Kuei-shien
Free Bird
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I am born
a free bird,
On my habitat of
the Magnolia branches
in praise of seasons.
On Formosa island Taiwan
never parted or given up for life,
I sing of independence
facing with the threat of imprisoned.
My friends were jailed
becoming the prisoners under colonial power,
There are many other friends
at outside the jail
be captives in the society
not allowable to speak at will.
I want tell you
many Taiwanese have been suffered
from aphasia.
I searched in poetry
the mother tongue of birds,
By means of the fragrance of flowers
to record the beauty and mourning on the island
connected to become poetry,
Found the window towards outside world,
That is a vast space
available for flying freely
for beginning to praise love.
Yes, I have two souls
to play one same melody
with two harmonious strings.
In the captive camp of your love
I am free listening to the languages of birds
willing to become your captive.
….
(Self-translation from Mandarin)
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Author
Beautiful