1. Fierce Winds Howl outside the Door
Fierce winds howl outside the door
Naked old man is crying
Under the stern gaze of winter night
Stars shiver out of fear
Fierce winds howl outside the door
How quiet it is in the small room
Red flames in stove jump and dance
Setting my memories in flame
Memories are as warm as the fire
The life has become the past
Now you are far from them---
Zeal, ideal, love and friendship
Even the teachings about kindness
Are separated from you by long distance
When the green messengers come
You always sigh with disappointment
Much less to say letters from friends
Will suddenly descend here
Only a silent force
Encourages you to create miracles
With ordinary hands
You decorate the earth under feet
You create poems of labor
With many an artist
Let pride occupy your heart
Don’t lose hope, don’t feel sad
The daily work of yours so plain
Lays the foundation of a monument
Nov. 1976
2 Coal
An ordinary piece of coal
Will emit light and heat
When thrown into a burning stove
Now, when the fire dies out
And yet it still has weak light
And the strength to burn on
What will be its fate,
Its destiny
Its end?
I am a piece of coal
A black and stubborn rock
Now I have not exhausted
My strength for burning
But surrounding me
Is nothing but death
What will be my fate,
My destiny
My end?
1976/11/23
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Author:
Xiaobai Yulan (
Offline) - Published: May 5th, 2026 21:35
- Comment from author about the poem: I wrote this when I was working in the rural area after high school. We were sent down to the countryside by the government because the government could not find jobs for young people.
- Category: Unclassified
- Views: 8
Offline)
Comments2
This poem presents a feeling of desolation and bareness of a god-forsaken place. Well done
Well done
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