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"Calling for Justice" by Xiqiang Dong. (falunart.org)
The villanelle is a form of highly structured poetry with origins dating back to 16th century France, though some place it earlier. I have used this form here to depict the persecution of Falun Dafa (also known as Falun Gong) practitioners in modern China.
Tranquilly, she sits in a Beijing park,
Stress and health problems clear like morning mist,
The bright sun battles a history dark.
Stress and health problems clear like morning mist,
The bright sun battles a history dark.
Soaring above, focused and free is the lark,
With innate discipline, she dives and twists,
Tranquilly, she sits in a Beijing park
With innate discipline, she dives and twists,
Tranquilly, she sits in a Beijing park
The early shadows stretch out long and stark,
The night’s fingers refusing to desist,
The bright sun battles a history dark.
Above the bird, towers the sky’s vast arc,
Gods peer down, not a moment to be missed,
Tranquilly, she sits in a Beijing park.
Murky clouds roll together near the park,
Darkness falls on the flag of communists,
The bright sun battles a history dark.
Darkness falls on the flag of communists,
The bright sun battles a history dark.
How does a raging fire start from a spark?
The storm’s first drop falls on her folded wrist,
Tranquilly, she sits in a Beijing park,
The bright sun battles a history dark.
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