When I was younger

年轻的时候

it was plain to me

我很清楚的是

I must make something of myself.

我要让自己有所成就。

Older now

如今上了年纪

I walk back streets

我走在后街

admiring the houses

欣赏那些非常贫穷的

of the very poor:

人家的房子：

roof out of line with sides

屋顶与两边不协调，

the yards cluttered

院子里乱七八糟

with old chicken wire, ashes,

堆满旧铁丝网，灰烬，

furniture gone wrong;

家具出了毛病；

the fences and outhouses

栅栏和屋外厕所

built of barrel-staves

用桶板和部分

and parts of boxes, all,

箱子搭成，全都是，

if I am fortunate,

假如我有幸看到

smeared a bluish green

被涂了一种蓝绿色，

that properly weathered

经过适当的风化，

pleases me best

是所有颜色里

of all colors.

我最喜欢的。

                                 No one

　　　　没一个人

will believe this

会相信这点

of vast import to the nation.

对国家意义重大。