From Kai Chang I had learned that there was Chinese writing on the walls on Angel Island but I have now discovered that this building is closed for renovation until at least 2009.
It is an excellent island, however, with unique and arguably the best views of the San Francisco Bay and the Golden Gate.
I rode to Angel Island by ferry and walked up to the top of Mt. Livermore, the summit, 788 feet above sea level. Far below you can see the immigration prison. I will have to try to see it again in 2009.
Here is an English translation of the fourth Angel Island poem:
Imprisoned in the wooden building day after day,
My freedom withheld; how can I bear to talk about it?
I look to see who is happy but they only sit quietly.
I am anxious and depressed and cannot fall asleep.
The days are long and bottle constantly empty; my sad mood, even so, is not dispelled.
Nights are long and the pillow cold; who can pity my loneliness?
After experiencing such loneliness and sorrow,
Why not just return home and learn to plow the fields?
We can see it written in the original characters, and listen to it in Mandarin or Cantonese.
Axé.
coldhearted scientist وداد 