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Island 42

壁牆題詠萬千千
盡皆怨語及愁言
若卸此牢升騰日
要憶當年有個編
日用所需宜省儉
無為奢侈誤青年
幸我同胞牢緊念
得些微利早回旋

香山題

There are tens of thousands of poems composed on these walls.
They are all cries of complaint and sadness.
The day I am rid of this prison and attain success,
I must remember that this chapter once existed.
In my daily needs, I must be frugal.
Needless extravagance leads youth to ruin.
All my compatriots should please be mindful.
Once you have some small gains, return home early.

By one from Heungshan

Listen to the poem in Heungshan ⏯

Translations:
Lai, H. Mark, Genny Lim, and Judy Yung, eds. Island: Poetry and History of Chinese Immigrants on Angel Island, 1910-1940. Second edition. Seattle: University of Washington Press, 2014.