Heilongjiang

Heilongjiang, your arms are broad, your skin dark, your clothes plain. Heilongjiang, the iron lash of history, the scars of the times. You never stepped back, but held to your own course. Heilongjiang, the glory of former days, medals heavy on your chest, telling of a brilliant past and the wounds of that land. Heilongjiang, when the machines fall silent, when green vines climb the smokestacks, your time returns to flowers and music. Heilongjiang, tonight I raise a glass with you. Blue skies have replaced the haze. You take off your armour and retreat beneath the birches.