Second Edition
Edited by: Him Mark Lai, Genny Lim, Judy Yung
Published by: University of Washington Press, Seattle and London
Summary: A collection of poems written by Chinese Immigrants held at Angel Island awaiting entry into the United States. It contains both the English translations and representations of the original works in Chinese. This work also contains historical facts, pictures of the island and oral histories.
Learning Objectives: Students will be able, through poetry, to explore the experiences and emotions of immigrants entering the United States through Angel Island in the early 1900's. They will also better understand some of the hardships of the voyage to America. Teachers will be able to gain a broad understanding of the history of the island and the people who passed through.
The Poems:
The barracks on Angel Island are carved with poetry left by immigrants as they waited to enter the United States. A poem by One Named Huie, from Heungshan, Consoling Himself. (poem number 38)
(photo taken at the barracks - does not correlate with this poem)
Over a hundred poems are on the walls.
Looking at them, they are all pining at the delayed progress.
What can one sad person say to another?
Unfortunate travelers everywhere wish to commiserate.
Gain or lose, how is one to know what is predestined?
Rich or poor, who is to say it is not he will of Heaven?
Why should one complain if he is detained and imprisoned here?
From ancient times, heroes often were the first ones to face adversity.
Several other poems:
15.
Abandoning wife and child, I crossed an entire ocean. I do not know
how much wind an frost I've weathered; it was because my
family was poor that I searched for white jade.
Bidding farewell to relatives and friends, I drifted ten thousand li. It is
difficult to keep track of all the ran and snow I've endured; it is all
due to an empty purse and my reverence for copper coins.
106.
The young children do not yet know worry.
Arriving at Gold Mountain, they were imprisoned in the wooden building.
Not understanding the sad and miserable situation before their eyes,
They still want to play all day like calves.
View more poems here and here.
