In Sichuan they dream of schools

In Sichuan they dream of schools 

       In the Sichuan earthquake of 2008, over 7,000 rural schoolrooms collapsed from shoddy construction, killing over 5,000 children.

The children of Sichuan are buried in the fields of rice.

They are dreaming under stones harvested

from bricks and cement of their fallen schools.

These bricks had only dust for mortar,

the slabs of cement had only sticks for strength.

The peasants are grieving.

They are walking with pictures of their children

to be heard by officials in the capital.

They sob and wail, walk for miles, lament

the corruption that stole the mortar and steel.

The old school still stands

as a warehouse for officials to store their goods.

In the capital officials bow, apologize,

promise to build safe schools,

but nothing happens.

Rice seedlings go untended in the paddies

for only a short season, peasants

must plant to eat.

A year later they no longer speak of grief

or dreams, they praise their government,

criticize each other.

Möbius The Poetry Magazine, NY:  2012.   

Nominated for a Pushcart Prize