Poetry Corner

Why Have We Stayed Here?

Why have we stayed here?

Our eyes have no more tears.

We cried a lot in the past!

Nobody can answer best.

Why we have stayed here?

Don’t you read the newspapers?

They showed you our lesson;

We’re not the poor citizens.

Why have we stayed here?

Don’t you believe what we fear?

In hands of the communists

Poor our people in deed.

Why have we stayed here?

Our people die every day.

The big prison we have to face!

“Political reason” that we hate.

Why have we stayed here?

How can we live without care?

Without meeting and no free press.

No Human Rights at all, you can guess!

Why have we stayed here?

Although we have good ideas

Yet we have no more thoughts!

All we do is to keep our mouths shut!

Why have we stayed here?

We heard the Liberty in many years

Just as you feel and hope.

We are here — not for food or job!

Why have we stayed here?

Live free here or die easy there.

Prices of Freedom and Democracy;

They’re too expensive, not free!

(St. Louis, Sept. 10, 1978)

Vinh Liem