I Remember

a poem by Hal Jin

I still remember the time
When trees shone in the afternoon light,
Shining through the clouds above,
And the glorious dawn awakening the great river,
The transparent water, the stones,
Reflecting the sunlight.

I still remember the blue sky,
A blue like the deep ocean,
That seemed to wake the living creatures,
And invite them to come
Out of their cozy little homes
To enjoy the warmth of the new day.

I still remember the green of grass,
Swaying in the gentle breeze,
Dancing in the light,
Tempting you to forget
All your tears,
Your worries and fears.

I still remember the sunshine
Breaking though
The skyline
Illuminating the world
With its warm rays
Of light.

I can still remember that.

But rather than that beauty,
Those trees,
That creek,
That sky,
That grass,
And that sunrise

Is a picture that has no right to be there:
One of smoke covering all,
Rising faster than anything
Like a dark black hand
Demolishing
All in its path.

Garbage,
Garbage everywhere.
Choking the river,
It spreads,
Killing life
Like poison.

How I long to see that sunrise prevail again.
And not the pollution,
Smoke, and garbage.
How I long for that river,
That clear, sparkling water,
Flowing lightly between the water

How I wish for the grass to be
Just a little bit greener,
And the sun
Just a little bit brighter.
And to see,
That glorious sky,
Again.