THE CRY OF A CHILD

I walked along a river

In the middle of the night

Crossing from one village to another

From afar off

I heard the cry of a little boy

fighting the coldness of night

and the loneliness of darkness

as he was left with his mother

who is seven month pregnant

still trying to sell herself of dignity

In front of a dingy hotel

I ran as my heart sank

and as I slowed down

I heard the cry of a little boy

mourning the death of his father

torn by a bullet in the armed conflict

in his native land

The picture looks so young

yet the face is pale and lifeless

I ran as my heart sank

and as I slowed down

I heard the cry of a little boy

shivering in the emergency tent

as the shack of his family

was ransacked by a bulldozer

the money paid to the land mafia

who vanish in the darkness of the night

I ran as my heart sank

and as I slowed down

I heard the cry of an infant…

Suddenly it was melodious

as it harmonizes with the angels

Proclaiming the good news;

A savior is born

He will wipe away the tears of the children

and bring salvation to those who believe

I ran……

But my heart was uplifted with joy

and I joined with the angels singing.

…by William Hwang