Believe in the Future
By Shi Zhi

When cobwebs relentlessly clog my stove
When its dying smoke sighs for poverty
I will stubbornly dig out the disappointing ash
And write with beautiful snowflakes: Believe in the Future

When my overripe grapes melt into late autumn dew
When my fresh flower lies in another's arms
I will stubbornly write on the bleak earth
With a dry frozen vine: Believe in the Future

I point to the waves billowing in the distance
I want to be the sea that holds the sun in its palm
Take hold of the beautiful warm pen of the dawn
And write with a child-like hand: Believe in the Future

The reason why I believe so resolutely in the future is:
I believe in the eyes of the people of the future
Their eyelashes that can brush away the ash of history
Their pupils that can see through the texts of time

It doesn't matter whether people shed contrite tears
For our rotten flesh, or our hesitancy, or the bitterness of our failure
Whether they view us with sneers or deep-felt sympathy
Or scornful smiles or pungent satire

I firmly believe that people will judge our spines
And our endless explorations, losses, failures and successes
With an enthusiastic, objective and fair evaluation
Yes, I await their judgement anxiously

Friends, please let us believe in the future
Believe in our unbending striving
Believe in our youth that can conquer death
Believe in the Future: believe in Life.

Beijing,1968

相信未来
食指
当蜘蛛网无情地查封了我的炉台
当灰烬的余烟叹息着贫困的悲哀
我依然固执地铺平失望的灰烬
用美丽的雪花写下：相信未来

当我的紫葡萄化为深秋的露水
当我的鲜花依偎在别人的情怀
我依然固执地用凝霜的枯藤
在凄凉的大地上写下：相信未来

我要用手指那涌向天边的排浪
我要用手掌那托住太阳的大海
摇曳着曙光那枝温暖漂亮的笔杆
用孩子的笔体写下：相信未来

我之所以坚定地相信未来
是我相信未来人们的眼睛
她有拨开历史风尘的睫毛
她有看透岁月篇章的瞳孔

不管人们对于我们腐烂的皮肉
那些迷途的惆怅、失败的苦痛
是寄予感动的热泪、深切的同情
还是给以轻蔑的微笑、辛辣的嘲讽

我坚信人们对于我们的脊骨
那无数次的探索、迷途、失败和成功
一定会给予热情、客观、公正的评定
是的，我焦急地等待着他们的评定

朋友，坚定地相信未来吧
相信不屈不挠的努力
相信战胜死亡的年轻
相信未来、热爱生命