Franklin Wolf | Commissioner on the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom | China Aid Advisory Board website
Reflections from Pastor John Cao is a series of poetry and writings from the recently released Chinese Christian prisoner of conscience, exclusively published by ChinaAid. The pieces below were written on May 17, 2024, and have been minimally edited for clarity. To read more of Pastor John Cao’s poetry, one can purchase the collection written while he was imprisoned, "Living Lyrics: Poems from Prison."
"Holding the plow with weakness, I ought to feel ashamed,
A good task has fallen upon this old ox.
No need to rush about, just sit and watch,
With a wave of the divine hand, great accomplishments are achieved.
Each piece of news about you tugs at my soul,
Are the young and old in your place safe and content?
The past events should be remembered often,
The mountain path must be continuously extended with the sound of axe.
The holy fire has been shining brightly for a thousand years,
The wise scriptures are diligently studied by the disciples.
Balancing the altar and the small stove,
Only when the whole family is joyful is there complete fulfillment."
Notes:
"Every piece of news about everyone tugs at my soul. Are the children and the elderly in your place safe and happy? I often remember the years we spent together pioneering, and we still need to continue clearing the way through the mountains without stopping. The flame of the Gospel has been burning for a thousand years, still brightly illuminating people’s souls. The saints are diligently learning God’s words. There needs to be a balance between serving God and taking care of one’s own family. Only when all the brothers and sisters in the church are joyful together is it the most complete and fulfilling thing."
"How fortunate to return to school in my twilight years,
Studying under the Master, majoring in shepherding.
Delving deep into the manual, using the staff to drive away vipers,
Striving to mend the fence, using my body as a beam.
Learning patience all the way with love,
Sharpened to the point of advancing in all directions.
The most beautiful thing is to receive commands with both hands,
Good friends always lending an arm to help."
Notes:
"How fortunate I am to return to school in my old age. I follow the Master, majoring in shepherding. I delve deep into the Bible, this shepherding manual, using the staff to drive away venomous snakes and fierce beasts, and I strive to mend broken parts of the fence using my own body as a pillar of the sheepfold. Learning patience is love all along. After being sharpened, one can advance everywhere. The most beautiful thing is receiving many missions and having good friends who always lend me support."
"Temporarily residing in a wonderful place, seeking amidst bitterest sufferings.
Overlooking beauty due to ignorance; after awakening, pursuing wisdom.
Composing poems, books, articles; recording autumn growth.
Enjoying solitary fragrance; unexpectedly found by readers.
Encouragement sparks excitement; transformation grows more vigorous;
Still hoping that shallow verses can inspire oneself and help others improve."
Notes:
"I am temporarily residing in this wonderful place called prison amidst harsh environments. Due to spiritual dullness, I overlooked many beautiful things in life. Now awakened, I pursue true wisdom. I've written poems and books recording my growth process—originally for personal enjoyment but unexpectedly sought by readers—giving me encouragement and joy as transformation becomes more vigorous. I hope these shallow verses inspire myself and help others grow."
"In this unique school training soldiers for a thousand days of peace,
Future challenges rehearsed on sand tables.
Upon walking out doorsteps dedicate oneself;
Don’t be a decadent scholar who only talks abstractly."
Notes:
"In this special school called prison training soldiers for future spiritual battles constantly rehearsed mentally over thousands of days; once released one should immediately dedicate oneself avoiding becoming an abstract-talking decadent scholar."
"Rising together at fifth watch greeting morning sun;
Reuniting from all corners land spirits mutually inspiring.
Agreeing exploring new territories together;
Seizing opportunities plowing sowing as spring arrives."
Notes:
"At five o’clock we rise together praying welcoming rising sun; disciples nationwide reunite spiritually impacting each other agreeing venturing new territories seizing opportunities plowing sowing seeds as spring arrives."
"The angel gracefully descends before me informing friends’ compassion.
Standing still with broken hoe occupying land vainly;
Steeling will facing vast fields doubling efforts plowing.
Alone secluded corner surrounded multitude companions;
Lonely frail encouraged endless kind words.
Just adding withered branches sacrificial fire;
Sunset glow burns beautifully body turns ashes."
Notes:
"The angel gracefully descends telling me everyone pities me; unable working standing idly occupying land vainly steeling will facing wilderness doubling efforts plowing fields future seemingly alone secluded corner yet surrounded companions encouraging moving forward beautifully thus throwing self sacrificial fire burning sparks until turning ashes old age."
"Yellow ribbons flutter flow around world long absent dare not rest returning
Preparing food water departure call resounds heroic spirit setting out again establishing great enterprise Lord"
Notes:
"The yellow ribbons welcoming prisoner tied worldwide absent field long time now returned dare not rest preparing food drinking water departure call loudly sounded filled heroic spirit setting out again establishing great enterprise Lord"
"Dedicating self light abandoning privacy footsteps throughout life known all
No house car meager bank account residing hundred homes rushing across land"
Notes:
"I dedicate myself light no privacy speak daily whereabouts known everyone no house car little savings residing hundred homes rushing worldwide spreading gospel"
Listening attentively orders command given dart off like arrow lying grass thinking wise rising soaring eagle wind honoring ancestors adhering traditions pursuing killing ruthlessly tiger scales removed eyes thrice venturing overseas resolve strong steel
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