I never throw a piece of paper arbitrarily,
But always keep it, keep it.
I folded it into paper boats,
And throw from the ship to the sea.
Some of them were blown to the window,
Some of them were moistened by the waves in the front.
I kept folding dishearteningly.
I hope one of them could go to where I want.
Mum, if you see a small white boat in your dream,
Don't be surprised by its sudden appearing.
It was folded by your dearest daughter with tears.
Passing via waters and mountains,
Beg it loads her love and sadness back.

Chinese original: 27 Aug, 1923
Last translated: 2 Feb, 2008

我從不肯妄棄了一張紙，
　總是留　留，
疊成一隻一隻很小的船兒，
　從舟上拋下在海。
有的被天風吹捲到舟中的窗，
有的被海浪打濕，沾在船頭上。
我仍是不灰心的每天的疊，
　總希望有一隻能流到我要他到的地方。
母親，倘若你夢中看見一隻很小的白船兒，
　不要驚訝它無端入夢，
這是你至愛的女兒含淚疊的。
萬水千山，求它載她的愛和悲哀歸去。

八　二十七，一九二三