—the start of the CCP’s persecution of Falun Gong

by Maura H. Harrison

It was a summer day, quite beautiful.
One hundred million minds were exercising
With the Divine—feeling the gentle pull
Of truthfulness; the tender touch; the rising,

Patient, and cosmic circulation of
Serenity—and building constellation,
A picture of humanity, of love,
Of living souls, of mercy’s elevation.

It was July, a summer day turned green
with jealous rage and foul with furious fear.
Evil turned on its torturing machine,
And started persecuting. Harsh, severe,

And diabolic, anguish was applied
By Party members bent on burying all
The stars.  They’re at it still, making a wide
Hole in the sky, a dark and heavy pall.

* * *

 

Winner of the 2nd Place Award in FoFG’s 2025 Poetry Contest