To the Teacher
Suppose time could rewind to before May 12, 2008, Pickled Cabbage Superhero Eleven - Pickled Cabbage and Eagle, Hometown Literature Network, Big Belly Uncle,
Suppose my father were still alive
Suppose my mother were still alive
Suppose my wife were still here
Suppose my son were still around
Suppose I were still like usual
In the evening, our family would sit by the dinner table
Watching TV
Eating the food cooked by my mother
I would have been so happy
But
When I was happy, I didn't feel it
Now that everything is gone, I seek for the past
Suppose my legs were still fine
And I could go to work like before
Even if my rival gets promoted
And I get criticized by my boss
I would still smile
Unfortunately
I didn't smile when I should have smiled
And I didn't cry when I should have cried
Suppose there wasn't care from society
Suppose there wasn't support from all sides
Suppose there weren't rescuers among strangers
Suppose the government didn't step in
Suppose I was born in old times
Suppose I encountered an early Yellow River breach or Huayuankou incident
How could I have laughed then
How could I have survived
Suppose there weren't these disasters
Suppose I were still intact
Every day I would walk briskly
Just for making money
Every day I would be busy
All for fame and profit
How would I miss the dinner table at home every night
And the joy of my family
Suppose there weren't these disasters
My heart would have been filled with more thoughts of myself
How could I think about being grateful to those strange faces
Suppose there weren't any disasters
Dear relatives and compatriots
In the past, I only knew to be careful and guarded against unfamiliar faces
How did I know you are my benefactor
You are my savior
We are connected as closely as lips and teeth, flesh and blood
Suppose there weren't any disasters
How could I not have realized I have a great country
I have kind compatriots
I have much more precious wealth than money
I have much more meaningful property than self-interest
In the past
I had everything
I never felt warmth
Now
My family is broken
My body is incomplete
But my heart has become tender
The calluses have been peeled away