When You Walk Past My Window
Zheng Min

When you walk past my window
Bless me,
For the light is still on.

The light is on—
In this dark night
Like a speck of fisherman’s lantern.
You may suppose that my little cabin
Is a small boat tossing in the storm
Yet I’m not sinking
For the light is still on.

The light is on
Throwing my shadow on the curtain—
A tottering old man
With a humped back,
Making feeble gestures. But my heart is not old
For the light is still on.

The light is on—
With passion burning
It accepts the greetings from every direction.
The light is on—
With dignity, pride
It glares down all oppressions, open or hidden.
Ah, when did it acquire such distinctive character?
Since you began to understand me.

For the light is still on,
Bless me
When you walk past my window.