Connections to Chinese mainland remain tight

The central message of the poem, which was written decades ago, has not been diminished by the passing of time. Its verses still resonate with the heartache of those stranded by the ebb and flow of history.

"When I was young, my homesickness was a small stamp. I was here, my mother was there. After growing up, my homesickness was a narrow ticket. I was here, my bride was there.

"Later, my homesickness was a little tomb. I was outside, my mother was inside. And now, my homesickness is a shallow strait, I am here, the mainland is there."