Ode to Love

The haegeum weeps in  Moonlit alleyways, its voice a fracture in the silence  Of steel children, Dream  Beneath rusted awnings, un- shackled not by law but by the pulse of  the unheard, Across the D- Militarized Zone Sparrows dance border -less, bold in their ignorance Of men. Someone plays. The haegeum in a  Hidden room of Seoul, and the Note hovers longer   than the orders ev- er could. She held the bow like  Memory~tight-fist -Ed and trembling.   Each scrape across the Strings peeled back a rule, an an cestor’s silence, un- 'til the room was full  Of ghosts learning how to breathe  "Inhale and exhale."

I played you a dirge Yet still you have done nothing How have you done this? Color me impressed Which is a vibrant green hue One shade from perfect This color unnamed Matches the sound of one note In all time and space Why have you done this Embarrassment of Nothing In your full knowledge? Is Strung Betrayal Only heard clear from own bow? A screech tattooed ear? It must be something For The God of Nothing speaks And stones don't cry out  Perhaps beneath them In the catacombs and crypts This song can be heard "Audible Lightning Heard by big pretenders tuned Puts thunder to shame."

Soft strings start to hum Whispers of a long-lost past Freedom's gentle breath Bamboo holds the sound Yearning deep for open skies Spirit takes its flight Bound by ancient wood Yet the music soars and sings Chains begin to break Fingers dance with grace Unfurling notes, light and free Heavy burdens lift A melody dreams Of mountains, windswept and wild No wall can contain Echoes of the brave Voices that refuse to fade Freedom's tireless heart From a simple bow A whole world of hope unfolds No cage can hold light Silence softly falls But the freedom lingers on Promise in the air