Unwavering
San Jose, CA
2023, Senior, Poetry & Spoken Word
Climate Hero: Howey Ou
And… action!
A dark, empty stage
An image projected on the white screen
A battle.
Not a fistfight,
or a shootout.
But a girl.
She stands alone on a wet street
With tired arms,
she wields a yellow poster
Black Chinese characters hand-painted across
A warrior of her own –
Howey Ou,
欧泓奕.
The audience remains silent
Judgemental stares, comments
Disapproval from the bleachers
The viewers at home
They watch,
Seated
As she stands firm.
She breaks the silence.
Her elegant war cry
A soft yet firm voice
Holds tones of love
Reminiscent of her childhood
Memories in Guilin
Lush, towering forests
Bike rides on leafy trails
Past clear, shimmering rivers
She pedals past the world
She wants to protect
Her hands have aged
To sixteen
They slip into her small pockets
Enclose upon coins, teenage allowances
Her pockets emptied,
She now holds baby saplings
Kneeling on the muddy ground,
She wishes them to grow as she does.
She waves her hands
Grimy dirt under her fingernails
Beckoning others
To join her in her bold song
The symphony name:
Plant For Survival
Her melody survives,
Echoed in the voices of others
She holds her stubborn voice
Yet there are that vie for her silence
To sever her tongue
They wield knives of different blades
Edges sharp with threatening malice
Cut.
School doors slam shut in her face
They won’t open again
Unless she cuts
Contact with news reporters,
Involvement with environmental groups,
Activism –
Out of her life.
Slice.
She’s peacefully arrested
Face the officers with ease
Until she’s threatened
Uncanny details
Of her family and friends
Pieces spliced from her life
She realizes that she’s in danger.
They aren’t ordinary officers –
They’re the National Security Bureau.
Bleed.
It’s a lonely, uphill battle.
She cries alone in her room
Fighting with her parents
Who urge her “Stop.”
“Please.”
Her voice trembles.
There is no applause awaiting her.
She is the sole sound in the silence
A brave solo in the apprehensive choir
The one candle in the dark
Who dares to spark, to blaze
Her thoughts:
“I don’t want to stop.”
Push her to go on
She screams in the deafening silence.
She holds her note,
Strong, defiant.
Reflection
What inspired my poem was Howey Ou’s work in China. Her efforts were especially significant for me because of the widespread culture of submission in China and the controlling Chinese government. Being a Chinese-American, I’ve had many family members who previously lived in China inform me of the limited freedom of speech there. They detailed how going against the government or what society deems “acceptable” is looked down upon, and even dangerous. Seeing Howey Ou directly address the Chinese government and pressure them to improve, despite the risks, inspired me to write this poem. My message to readers is to not be afraid to express their views and go against what is “acceptable.” Even when others oppose you or try to silence you, saying something is much better than staying silent. Much like poetry, putting one’s thoughts and opinions out there, rather than holding them in, can be immensely liberating. I hope that readers of my poem will also believe that fighting for improvement and change in the world is better than being satisfied with a flawed status quo.