YOU ZI YIN: "The Wanderlust Son's Song"
-- by MENG JIAO (751-814)
-- Translated by Frank C Yue

慈母手中线，
游子身上衣。
临行密密缝，
意恐迟迟归。
谁言寸草心，
报得三春晖。

The threads in a loving mother's hand close
Gaping holes in her wanderlust son's clothes.
Closer, closer the stitches, as parting is near;
"He might be late, late in return, I fear."
Even the inch-long hearts of the grass demand
Repaying the Spring Sun's nurturing hand!