‘The Threat of Virtue’: A Poem by Zumwalt

The Threat of Virtue

Falun Gong, which has faced persecution since July 20,
1999, has three main principles: Truth, Compassion,
and Forbearance. In China, practitioners are robbed of
their organs, which are sold by the state.

The State will not allow pursuit of truth
Or tolerate a mind that thinks things through;
The Citizen is caged up in their youth
Like captive pandas fed on dried bamboo.

The cadres must attack the spirit’s quest,
Transform each mind to fit their bleak regime,
Compel unfettered souls to be suppressed
And drown each life before it dares to dream.

Compassion is a threat they can’t endure:
Each act of caring is struck down by pain;
They drain the heart of every thought that’s pure
And harvest what is left for private gain.

All tenderness is plundered as it grows
Like vital organs stripped and reassigned;
The Law alone decides how mercy flows,
Severing sight to sell it to the blind.

Forbearance is a strength they deeply fear,
Nor can they face a path of inner grace;
They see endurance and their goal is clear:
It must be wiped away without a trace.

Yes, Falun Gong expose a fragile state:
Their innate rights indict the PRC;
All wicked empires must embrace their fate:
Evil cannot share its world with the Free.

Zumwalt was recently nominated for Ink Sweat & Tears’ “Pick of the Month” and is a repeat contributor to The New Verse News and other publications. His website is here: https://wordpress.zumpoems.com/tag/zumwalt/