Scharlie Meeuws, ‘Who, If I Cry Out, Would Hear Me’ – Honorable Mention
Who, If I Cry Out, Would Hear Me
Who, if I cry out, would hear me
beyond these walls of fear,
where faith must guard its secret flame
and truth no longer dare appear?
At dawn they stand, composed and still,
their hands like petals to the sun;
no sword is drawn, no oath of war—
yet all their peace is counted sin.
The drums of power rumble low,
the air grows tight, the heavens dim;
a host of silent souls is torn
from life for following the hymn.
Who now shall name them, one by one,
whose voices melted into stone,
whose only fault was seeking light
in hearts the state would own?
Yet even chains cannot contain
the motion of the inner sea;
though flesh be bound, the spirit moves
through ages yet to be.
I cry out, but not in despair,
for that their faith may not grow out;
for in the hush beyond this world
their steadfast breath still circles out.
And somewhere past the reach of night,
where no decree can ever climb,
a thousand lotus flowers rise
and open out of time.
* * *
Poet’s Note: In honour of the Falun Gong, written in response to a line by Rilke, this poem reflects on the endurance of conscience under oppression.