The Postmark by Ko Yu An

Seagulls wheel up and down before the eaves,
At the door grows tall sweet viburnum;
Rat-a-tat-tat!
Who is that tapping softly under the window?

It is a young postman, the postmark stamp in his hand,
Stamping fresh blossoms on each envelope;
The ink smells good among the flowers,
Catching the eye in that sweetness is the word “Sisha.”

For years Sisha had no postal service,
How could letters cross that expanse of the sea and sky?
Then from the mainland flew this friendly courier,
Fearless of hardships, he made this his home.

Since then how many lines span sky and ocean
To end the worries of those far away;
Since then one by one, the unknown isles of Sisha
Are becoming known with fresh blossoms throughout the world.

How much is embodied in one little postmark
Look! Beautiful seagullss, white viburnum in bloom,
The hearts of the men of Sisha, mighty as the ocean,
The postman’s radiant youth…

Translated by Yang Hsien-yi and Gladys Yang. Source: Chinese Literature Monthly, January 1, 1961.