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Candlelight Vigil
the persecution of the peaceful meditation practice Falun
Gong by the CCP began on July 20, 1999
A single candle burns tonight, a sacred memory,
An ember for the price of truth, a noble destiny,
The story of a humble man who’s never known of fame,
Whose monumental sacrifice will long outlive his name.
His story starts like millions, he led an average life,
He had a caring family, a child and a wife.
But he was hooked on alcohol, it drained away his cash,
Too proud to say he needed help, he burned his health to ash.
Until one day by accident he heard of Falun Gong,
And from the principles within he discerned right from wrong.
A gentle qigong exercise healed him from deep inside;
It freed him from the alcohol and checked his stubborn pride.
And like a man that’s born anew his life was bright once more,
His gratitude for Falun Gong soon spread from door to door.
But communism’s jealous ears did not approve his tale;
It called his story blasphemous and threw him into jail.
A single candle burns tonight before a prison bed,
Outside his filthy cellar bars the moon glows crimson red.
For once the dawn breaks overhead a bloodbath shall take place,
He will be murdered silently and gone without a trace.
They’ve auctioned off his heart and lungs, a human sacrifice.
Some wealthy merchant overseas has paid a hefty price.
An undercover organ fest that’s run by thieves and ghouls,
A gruesome market growing rich from using deadly tools.
Back home his unsuspecting wife still prays that he is safe;
She holds their tiny son tonight and whispers to have faith.
But as the moon grows crimson red, she fears that something’s wrong;
She lights a candle in the dark, “May angels keep him strong.”
And as the night grows cold and deep, he kneels before his bed;
His heart is calm, his mind is clear, he goes without regrets.
And as the candle melts away he does not feel alone,
For though his flesh is thin and weak, his strength inside has grown.
A hero goes in peace tonight, one drop amidst a sea
Of those who dared to speak the truth so others can be free.
For though they rob him of his life they cannot win the fight:
A noble heart as pure as gold shall rest with God tonight.
A single candle burns today, a distant memory,
But soon a thousand light the sky to honor history.
And though the night seems long and harsh, at last when all is done,
The fragrant scent of molten wax will rise as does the sun.
Let history remember all the million specks of light,
Who dared to sacrifice themselves in honor for what’s right.
The brightest flames are those who dare to burn themselves away,
And shed their lives for others so that truth can light the way.
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Shindy Cai resides in upstate New York and works as a professional classical dancer for Shen Yun Performing Arts.
A noble story of one man who lived and died as one candle, passing on light he had received.
What a beautiful poetic paean to make us ponder the power of one candle burning representing one life changed that sparks an entire movement. This poem burns as brightly as a thousand candles lighting the way of truth and sacrifice.
I love this poem, Shindy. It’s beautifully written, it tells essential history and its observations are as profound as they are humane. In short, although painful, it is deeply inspiring. May Falun Gong be blessed and may the C.C.P. be relegated once and for all to the dustbin of history. Venerable China deserves so much better.
An outstanding poem, any way you look at it.
Your poem is such a wonderful tribute to Falun Gong . It inspires the reader to want to know and understand more about it. But it also has a more transformative quality that is difficult for me to describe. I think to have such peace no matter what happens is truly a spiritual goal to aspire to.
Thank you
Thank you for your comments! It really means a lot to me.
Great story, great execution. I like that the ending was wound up elegantly and made a forward-looking hopeful gesture amid so much turmoil. I do not know if the practice of Falon Gong is compatible with Christ or not, but I certainly hope such peace is shared.