Chen Hsiu–chen陳秀珍（Taiwan）

A Period of Overall Blackness 台灣也曾經歷
Taiwan has been in a period
Of overall blackness
Without showing a trace of fluorescence.

We had to use
thousands and thousands of eyes
All shining with tears, making the effort
And trying to illuminate the island of Taiwan.

Taiwan has been subjected to colonial rule,
The February 28 massacre, and white terrorism;
We had to wipe bloody tragedy with our tears.

Taiwanese history has trailed over dark nights
And fallen into a long tunnel again.
In order to search the light-emitting exit,
No-one knows how many years we will have to trek.

We are in Formosa, the place of suffering
Sowing the seeds of love
In the hope
Of seeing the innocent wild lily blooming all over again.

（English Translation by Lee Kuei-shien）

台灣也曾經歷A Period of Overall Blackness
台灣也曾經歷
全身被抹黑
看不見一絲絲螢光

我們便用
千千萬萬顆
含著淚光的眼睛
努力照亮島嶼台灣

台灣歷經殖民統治
二二八事件 白色恐怖
我們用淚水擦拭血腥

歷史走過暗夜
又掉進長長隧道
為了追尋吐光的洞口
我們不知還要跋涉多少歲月

我們在福爾摩莎苦難之地
播下愛的種子
希望
開出遍地純潔的野百合