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Island 94

刻薄同胞實可憐
醫生剌血最心酸
冤情滿腹憑誰訴
徘徊搔首問蒼天

It is indeed pitiable, the harsh treatment of our fellow countrymen.
The doctor extracting blood caused us the greatest anguish.
Our stomachs are full of grievances, but to whom can we tell them?
We can but pace to and fro, scratch our heads, and question the blue heavens.

Listen to the poem in Cantonese ⏯

Island 33

美有強權無公理
囹圄吾人也罹辜
不由分說真殘酷
俯首回思莫奈何

陳題

America has power, but not justice.
In prison, we were victimized as if we were guilty.
Given no opportunity to explain, it was really brutal.
I bow my head in reflection, but there is nothing I can do.

By Chan

Listen to the poem in Cantonese ⏯

Island 85

木樓被困正堪憂
儼然犯罪坐監牢
百般苛待真難受
惟望同胞雪此仇

Being imprisoned in this wooden shack is precisely the cause of my worry.
It is like sitting in jail for committing a crime.
The hundred different abuses are really difficult to endure.
My only hope is that my compatriots will avenge this grievance.

Listen to the poem in Cantonese ⏯

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.