MB Civic

by Tsoltim N. Shakabpa

Sitting in a cold Chinese prison I hear the
birds outside my cell chirping for my
freedom
I hear the wind outside my cell howling for
my liberty
While the Chinese prison guards
Torture me brutally and spit on my face

Why do the Chinese hate me so much
When all I did was raise the Tibetan national flag
And carry a picture of the Dalai Lama?

Why do the Chinese
Hurt me physically?
Why are the Chinese
So afraid of the Tibetan national flag
And a picture of the Dalai Lama
When all they are
Are a piece of cloth and paper
Which hurts them not physically?

All I can assume is that
They are afraid of my nationalism for Tibet
And my reverence for the Dalai Lama

If that be so
Let it be so
But then they should challenge me mentally
And discuss with me fairly and intelligently
Instead of using violence and punishing me physically
So that the birds will stop chirping outside my cell
And the wind will stop howling outside my cell

Copyright: Tsoltim N Shakabpa – 2008
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Tsoltim N. Shakabpa is a recognized Tibetan poet with 5 acclaimed books of poems to his name.