Daddy Waits

by Hei Feng
     trs. by Wang Ping

Your steps wake up the stairs
You shake up my room of depression
You
I know it’s you, Son

You’re a shaft of light
A chirping sparrow
You’re a shy bud
A cloud dropping out of the blue sky

You turn a small gold key
And unlock your daddy’s security door
Oh, it’s you   I turn my head
Gazing
— from head to toe
Everyday I look at you, in surprise
As if I’ve never met you
I gaze at you
From section to section
Look at you as a whole

What?  You got hurt today?  And tears?
They didn’t let you play with them?
Unless you pay them?

— Son   it’s not your fault
That you can’t get along
They’re strong and arrogant, right?
They’re always like that   in the adult world too
It’s the same   come here son
Daddy will play with you   let’s play
A triangle game, a jumping game, chess,
A marine warfare game . . .

What?  No?  Still want to play with them?

All right, wipe your eyes
Go and try again
Daddy will wait at home