Wednesday, April 2, 2014

俐玲/ Li Ling

I
My name (Li) means:
Bright, witty and full of life
Strong, and of the fiercest sun

II
My name ( Ling) means:
The tinkling of jade pendants,
Talkative; chatty little princess

III
I live my life in two parts
When I first met you
And when I last saw him

IV
I am my father's beloved
I am my father's favourite girl
He remembers the 30th of November

V
The children here grow up with
Western beliefs,
Knowing they will grow up to be
Heard

VI
Young children should not be heard,
Only seen -
But even my weight is an eyesore

VII
Christianity is not a Western belief:
I am my Father's beloved
He remembers all my brothers' birthdays

VIII
"Ling" is not a name you are entitled
To simply call out
It reverberates throughout my entire being-
You do not.

IX
I want to name my boy Israel
So he may wrestle with God
And live free
Even while struggling

X
My name (Li) (Ling) means:
Because I know my identity,
You cannot take it away from me