…I was in Hong Kong during the horrific episode in June 3-4, 1989 in Beijing… when the brave ‘Tank Man’ stood in defiance in Tiananmen Square in the Chinese capital… the precise number of students who perished is still not known… I penned the poem below as I watched the events unfold on live television in Hong Kong… the poem was picked up and printed in Chinese communities around the globe at the time… Lest We Forget…
TO THE FLOWERS OF TIANANMEN SQUARE
The chill of death came swiftly
To the flowers of youth that morn
But the seed will last forever
From the slaughter, hope is born.
A world watched in horror
As their lifeblood flowed that day
The memories of courage
Will never fade away.
Soldiers, tanks and bullets
Cannot eclipse their roles
They may burn the students’ bodies
But they cannot destroy their souls.
Their voices now are silent
But will echo from the grave
To taunt at man’s own madness
For those whom power crave.
In tears of grief and sorrow
For now, we share the pain
But please, let us remember,
“Let them not have died in vain”.
SEUMAS GALLACHER
Hongkong
June, 1989
…see yeez later… LUV YEEZ!…
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Beautiful and heart-warming! ♥
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…there were brave souls out there, Billy Ray…
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A great testament to true courage Seumas. Your words honour them. It must have been frightening to play chicken with a tank not knowing whether the lunacy of the power hungry would take the tank forward.
Hugs
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…apparently that gentlemen was one of the men never identified later… it’s not known if he survived or ‘vanished’ as did many others …
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One of those moments that gets stuck in one’s mind. Your poem captures it perfectly. Thanks for the reminder, Seumas
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…cheeers, m’Lady, Olga:)
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Reblogged this on theowlladyblog.
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…thank you, m’Lady, Viv 🙂
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Wonderful piece, Seumus. Cheers! 🙂
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…cheeers , that man, Frederick..:)
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Now there’s conviction and bravery. Why isn’t this image all over the news each year? Important event that should not be forgotten
Well written, Seumas
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