（ GZ Morning Post \ May 23, 2008）

Tears of China

When, at 2:28 p.m. on Monday, the world’s most populous nation suddenly paused,

I believed I saw the tears of China.

Tears flowed for mothers desperately shouting their children’s names, many never

to be answered.

Tears fell for children waiting for their parents, without knowing if their wait

would ever end on Earth.

Tears were shed for those buried in an instant, for the injured and the

bereaved, for the ruins, and the once-vibrant land tainted with blood.

But there has been more than tears.

Never forget

Let us remember the teacher at the Yingxiu township primary school, who died in

the posture of an eagle, arms encircling two students.

Let us remember the mother in Beichuan, who covered her baby with her body as

the debris from the quake rained down, leaving a last, silent message with her

gesture: Dear baby, if you are alive, do remember that I love you.

Let us remember the grandfather clutching his wife tightly under the wreckage,

only to find her dead when she was rescued.

Let us remember the soldier who knelt down after receiving orders to leave,

bursting into tears and begging, “Please, let me save another child. I can save

one more!”

Let us remember the gray-haired beggar in a patched blue coat, who went to the

donation box twice, first with 5 yuan, then 100.

With our memories, may we pass on our love, to those in need in the future, be

they farmers or officials, elderly or young.                                     

     (By Xinhua Writer Bai Xu )