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