Poet's Profile

Gene Mei was born in TaiShan, Guang Dong of China in 1943. He graduated from Peking University in 1967. In 1981, he came to USA and now lives in New York. He writes poems and assays. He is president of Chinese Poets Association of New York and Chinese Cultural Art Association and Vice President of Peking University Pen Cub.

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Songs offering to Chinese American Heroes and in Memory of Victims in 911

Written  by Gene  Mei    Translated by Davis Dai                    

(1)

As a youngster, Zack Zeng came to USA from GuangDong of China. He held a master's degree. When the 911 disaster happened, he rushed to the disastrous spot to rescue people from many blocks away.  He sacrificed he life at 39. His action of rescuing people at the WTC was broadcasted by TV and was praised as a altruistic people by New York Times.                                       

He read  legends of heroes in China

And admired their reputation in history.

He rafted in the sea of knowledge

And loved to help people happily

The disaster struck panic souls in the air and blood on the ground

The Towers was wrapped with overwhelming smokes

And the rain of stones kept falling down

He rushed into the Tower like a galloping horse

To rescue people from dangers.

He died a song of hero for people

And lived a model of dignity in history

                                                        (2)

Betty Ann Ong was an airhostess, nick named: 'Honey Bee'. Before the plane hit World Trade Center, she calmly reported the terrorists' activities to the ground station. 10 days after she sacrificed herself, the mayor of San Francisco named the day of Betty Ann Ong  Day

She loved dancing in the garden of flowers

And picking up honey from them in the spring

Beautiful she is and emotional as others

But so ambitious as an eagle in the sky.

When billow of danger stirred the flowing clouds

Cool and calm, she remained.

Pity not being a super woman,

To hold the plane above the clouds

Her body crashed to be a heroin,

Her soul lit up countless candles of memory

                                                     (3)

Seeing the Towers hit by the planes, Sergeant David Lim immediately stepped onto the Tower to rescue people. He called his family not to worry about him at the dangerous spot. He was buried by the wreckages of the building but was rescued. When the market reopened, he was invited to press the button to open the market.

The rain of stones and sands

Kept falling down from the burning Tower

He stepped onto thousand of stares

To care about thousands of families.

He gave way to others

But was buried in the ruins.

The grand ceremony embraced the hero

And the sound of gong is going on and on.

                                                              (4)

Dr. Wei Bin Wang came to USA from Guilin, China 16 years ago. With his endeavor, he got a high position and  had a family reunion then. They had three little kids to raise. Shortly before 911, they bought a new house to enjoy the happiness of family. Suddenly,He lost his life in the WTC disaster and his American Dream was broken

      He missed his family badly on this new land

      And dreamed of a reunion every night.

      The spring brought them together in New York

      They jumped and danced happily in the gentle breeze

      To celebrate their sweet-smelling new home.

     The happy land in April was painted with colorful flowers

     Why the September sky was hit by the thunder of disaster

      The tender love and beautiful scene were swept away

      The full moon of fall was mirrored in Li River

      Calling his soul to return.

                                                       (5)

A retired couple, Yu Guang Zheng and  Shu Yin Yang  came  to USA to visit her daughter's family one year ago. They departed from New York and expected to meet again  shortly. Unfortunately, the plane, which they boarded, was hijacked to hit the Pentagon Building. They died with the crashed plane.

They flew to meet their daughter from far way

To enjoy the euphoria of  family relations.

They felt most joyful to see their naughty grandson

And asked him with a smile

When we would meet again in hometown

Recalling the ups and downs of life

They were hands in hands tenderly for thirty year

The splendid sunset greeted them goodbye

Sadly, the disaster hit the plane in the sky

Life or death was one step way.

                                                             (6)

Dennis Foo's mother spent her life and soul to raise her son. She felt proud of her son's success in his career. Dennis Fu was missing after the WTC disaster. She visited temples and churches to pray for her son. A fortune-teller told her that he was still in the world, so she was expecting him to come back every day.

She raised her son with her heart and soul

And expected him to fly as high as an eagle.

The grass turns green in spring every year

But her beauty was fading as water flowing away

And white hairs were creeping on her forehead every day.

The thundering disaster terrified the autumn sky

And tore up the hearts of thousands of families

She prayed to God and Buda where to find her son

With tears falling down to her clothes..

She dreamed of him coming home soon

With a candle flickering every lonely night..

                                                       (7)

There were many touching stories about Chinese American helping sufferers in the disaster. Musician La Fu Lee was one of them. Although he suffered from an incurable disease, he still made generous donation to help those sufferers. I could not help admiring him and concerning about his health. Unexpectedly, I got a mail with good news, telling that in China, a patient suffering same disease had been cured. Mr. Li called the letter "the Sonata of Spring"

He felt at ease about his incurable disease

But panic to see the overwhelming smoke from the burning Towers.

He believed that good fortune follows misfortune

And made generous donation to the sufferers

To share the difficult moment.

His soul had been inspired and purified

His heart beat flowing compassion and love

The spring played a joyful sonata

And messengers from China brought him a cure

Spreading love to people all over the world.

                                                       (8)

Chinatown is close to World Trade Center. It is a hot scenic spot with flock of visitors everyday. The 911 disaster struck Chinatown heavily. Its economy was affected greatly and business was falling sharply. The nation took notice of the situation, and all circles of trade offered their assistance to it. Chinatown would make every effort to revitalize itself and show its attraction again.

Separation and Reunion; tears and Laughter

Go with her for centuries.

She stands freezing wind and frozen snow

To taste the sweet drizzle from the sky.

Thanks God for blessing the land to anchor

Oh, She is my home place to live!

Hustle and bustle, she used to be

Sluggish and depressed, she became after the Disaster.

Helping hands from all around reached her

And the spring herald of recovery echoed

To greet a more splendid tomorrow..