You and I

A poem by Gu Xiong

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You are born in a small stream
You grow up in the river
And you gather strength in the ocean
 
When you return
You become red
And give birth to your children
 
Finally you lie down on the bottom of the stream
Waiting until next spring comes
You watch as those red eggs
Turn into baby salmon
 
A smile appears on your face
The current that takes your new born salmon
To the river and then the ocean
 
I see you in the small stream
I see you in the river
I see you in the ocean
 
I see you everywhere
I follow you
I become you

 
-Gu Xiong

1998