Friday, June 26, 2009

Slaying Dragons

A l o h a !
Come relax a spell
here in
WAIKIKI "Put something silly in the world

That ain't been there before."

Shel Silverstein



Hometown Hero




Here Be Dragons

I found a poem,

translated from the Chinese by fellow blogger Teresa, http://wwwwhitechinese.blogspot.com/

that really spoke to me after this week's spectacle of frail human beings being confronted by seemingly over-mastering forces like their governments or the economic situation.

There is, I have learned, something stronger than mere apparent worldly power. That when a final accounting occurs, slain heroes will be honored, even as bullies are at last shamed and punished.

And somehow, that "final accounting" is not far off, but very real and alive even here & now. The Kingdom is indeed at hand. When we reach out we can feel it:




Handshake


By Jiang Pinchao


Translated by Teresa Zimmerman-Liu


Edited by Brian E. HansenPublished in June Fourth Tiananmen Massacre Twentieth Anniversary Memorial Booklet




In the tree-breaking storm
you cared for the flowers
among the thistles in my path.
You did not avoid the thorns but
threw petals before me.
In my difficulties
I was lonely,
I needed understanding and support.
Your handshakegave me what I lacked.
We did not speak at our solemn parting but
your eyes brimmed with pity, love, sorrow.









High walls, electric fences, guard towers,
blocked the desolate road ahead,
machine guns aimed at my thoughts, but
I know my responsibility.

When I am lost
I will remember your eyes.
When I feel lazy,

I will recall your hand’s touch.
Friendless,

I will remember.
Suffering,
I will rejoice.
Lonely,
I will ponder.
Terrified,
I will fight.












In this desolate wilderness
when life gave me a bitter drink
you allowed me to taste sweetness.
On this precipitous mountain roadwhere some would cut off my freedom
you whispered, “They are evil.”
On a freezing winter night
when history would lock me in a cold prison
you gave me a flame for warmth.








At the end of my life
I will have a rich harvest.
On this glorious journey
history will see a new dawn.
My fatherland will see
a day of democracy, a day of freedom,
a day of prosperity, and
I know this new day

will come because of you
because of your handshake.
As a zealous patriot for my fatherland
I etch your name
into the corner of our memorial.

March 23, 1990, Hanyang, China

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

Amen

Teresa said...

Thanks for helping to get the word out, Cloudia!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful poem.

Reader Wil said...

What a beautiful poem, Cloudia! I like the T shirt with Obama too.

Anonymous said...

I really like that T-shirt. I would wear it in a heart beat. I wouldn't be caught in a George W. Bush T-shirt if he has any.

I also liked the poem

Dina said...

Strong words. Good words.

I so hope you are right, that the kingdom is at hand.

Cloudia said...

Teresa: The star of today's show! Great translation.

Tricia: you are.

Wil: Nice to see you.

Abraham Lincoln: Knowing nothing about you, I was drawn to your posts, photos and good character. Your recent post about all your accomplishments filled me with awe and jealousy. You are quite a guy and your visits here honor me.
Aloha!

Dina: We are, in a very real sense, already there, dear. At death we will be free of worldly considerations, but our higher sides, our aloha, our shalom, our fellowship is liberated to a whole new level. At least that's what my near death experience taught me...

Thank you ALL for visiting today

Helen Ginger said...

What a great poem in its strength and effect on the reader.

Helen
Straight From Hel

Anonymous said...

I like that thought.

the walking man said...

I am of the mind that the time has come for men to transcend the borders that define them as something other than man. Either that or *shrug* let the last moment of time come for it could not be soon enough if we are to continue down this path.

Anonymous said...

He wasn't born in Hawaii, he was born in Kenya! He is NOT our President! He is a Muslim and a terrorist! He is a socialist and possibly a communist!

I'm sorry, I just wanted to see what that felt like, LOL. As you were.

Wil Harrison.com

Cloudia said...

Aloha Helen!

Walking Man: You have my vote.



Wil!!!!!!!!!!! ;-0

LOL Aloha friends!!

Feisty Crone said...

Great poem.

Bubblewench said...

What a moving poem. Thanks for sharing!