I Have Come Home

 I recently did  a project for my Asian Literature class, and my central theme was Chinese Communist Poets.  It was truly interesting.  Having taken a 20th Century World History class last semester, I had learned much on Mao and his forces that caused pain and heartache for the Chinese people.  It broke my heart.  After further research I found a poem from Wen Jiabao.  He recently stepped down from his position, and was known for incorporating ancient Chinese poetry into his speeches.  Not only did he recite, but he also composed his own.  The one included below touched me.  He has an innate way of using politics along with nature.  "I Have Come Home" depicts his longing to return to Africa.  This struck me as strange.  Its quite interesting in it's setup and equally more touching in his wording.  

I Have Come Home

Over mountains and across the ocean

To my brothers on the African land.

Overwhelmed by flowers, flags and resounding drums,

A brotherly love deeper than the sea

Fifty years of journey sharing weal and woe

Brings Chinese and African hearts closer and ever so.

Indeed, I have come home!

Dances of greetings, songs of adieu, a moment frozen into eternity.

Short is our meeting, lasting is our fraternity,

And endless words bespeak one common wish:

Let us strive together for progress and prosperity benefiting all.

Indeed, I have come home!

The sound of wind and rain kept me awake at night,

Hardly have we enjoyed happy reunion when it’s time to part.

People meet and part, just as the moon becoming full and waning soon,

Yet, to leave my African brothers grieves my heart.

The Great Wall and Lake Victoria lie far apart

But the powerful tie of sincere friendship knows no distance.