Huang Guosheng

    In the far and remote village of western Guangdong Province,

    When my mother conceived me,

    I was inside and my mother was outside.

    After I was born, I often lay inside the cradle bearing the mosquito net,

    My mother sang the baby-songs continuously, staying outside.

    When my mother carried me on her back to transplant the seedlings,

    I was inside the carrying-belt and my mother was outside.

    When I was in childhood, I played with my little buddies outside, on the mountains

    and fields,

    At home my mother who constantly missed me, was inside.

    When I went to primary school, I was inside,

    My mother thus, was outside.

    Later on, I went alone to the far outside for learning,

    Then stepped into society, I always was outside,

    Throughout that village, my mother was inside.

    There was finally one day that the position between my mother and me exchanged and fixed forever.

    It was the day when my 84-year-old mother passed away,

    From then on my mother would lie forever inside the tomb,

    And I, who fell on my knees with red swollen eyes, knelt down outside, outside…