a pantoum

by Alan Orsborn

River Li in twilight, misty
Haunting mountains of limestone karst
Rooftops over Guilin city
610 Office where trials are farced.

Haunting mountains of limestone karst
In a half-remembered cavern
610 Office where trials are farced
Barely buried, fresh cadavers.

In a half-remembered cavern
Seven souls of the Falun Gong
Barely buried, fresh cadavers
Slits in their sides twelve inches long.

Seven souls of the Falun Gong
Sleep enshrined in oblivion
Slits in their sides twelve inches long
Honest owners of Zhen Shan Ren.

Sleep enshrined in oblivion
Pagodas of the Sun and Moon
Honest owners of Zhen Shan Ren
Paths with peach blossoms lightly strewn.

Pagodas of the Sun and Moon
Rooftops over Guilin city
Paths with peach blossoms lightly strewn
River Li in twilight, misty.

* * *

 

Poet’s Note: This poem does not commemorate any one specific historical event, but as an allegory, seeks to honor all the practitioners of Falun Dafa who perished in conjunction with the harvesting of their organs. The cavern represents all of the hidden places in which the CCP and the 610 Office do their dirty work. Guilin is an icon for China.

 

Winner of the 2nd Place Award in FoFG’s 2024 Poetry Contest