He says he’s a free spirit 

He says he’s a free spirit

Once I was one too
When I was very very little
When I knew very little 

Carefree, running
Along the rice fields
Racing over the hill
Chasing butterflies

Tired, I lay down on the soft grass
Listening to the
Rough vocals of cicadas
Gentle rustling of the leaves dancing under the bright sun

Feeling
The breeze kissing my cheeks 
Dreaming
Of seeing the big wide world
Of being somewhere far far away 

Years later
And what a bumpy ride 
Tens of thousands of miles
Over ocean waves and mountain peaks 

I’ve arrived, with deep anxiety, heavy baggage
More than a little broken inside

A cheap delivery from China
At your doorstep 
“Is it damaged inside?” You wonder
I am damaged inside, I assure you 

So why not
Put a return label on me
Send me back 
To twenty five years ago
If you could
To that small Chinese village in southern Henan
If you would
Address it to a kid 
Lying on the grass, daydreaming

The blue sky is dotted with white clouds
Birds are chirping 
A breeze comes over from the valley
Massaging the crops along the way, making them
Shaking and giggling
The boy closes his eyes
The breeze kisses his puffy rosy cheeks

That’s when
I whisper into his ears
He says he’s a free spirit
Kid, you’re one too