I WANTED TO COME HOME: Wen Yi-Tuo

I wanted to come home

While your little fists were like the orchids yet to open;

While your hair still remained soft and silken;

While your eyes shone with that spirited gleam;

I wanted to come home.

I did not come home

While your footsteps were keeping cadence in the wind;

While your heart was beating like a fly against the windowpane;

While your laughter carried that silver bell's ring;

I did not come home.

I should have come home

While a spell of blur covered your eyes;

While a gust of chilly wind put out a fading light;

While a cold hand snatched you away like a kite;

I should have come home.