by Sasha A. Palmer

I’m Russian-born, live in the USA,
I’m Catholic, and Falun Gong to me—
A chain of cryptic hieroglyphs that say
Nothing of consequence; and yet I see—
Beyond the mystery—a familiar sight
As crouching tigers, hidden dragons fade
And all that’s left is people, whom I might
Have known forever, closely; should I trade
Places with them, would I remain steadfast
In my own faith? Would I refuse to bow
Before the human idols? Would I cast
My fear aside? I do not know. Somehow
    I know this: when another victim falls,
    Don’t ask for whom the bell of freedom tolls.

* * *

 

Note: “For whom the bell tolls” is a famous phrase written by the poet John Donne (1572–1631) in Renaissance England. At that time, the bell tolling (ringing) signified someone’s death. Donne says that all human beings are connected; therefore it is unnecessary to find out who died when hearing the bell toll. It tolls for you, he says.