Epitaph for the Unknown Political Dissidents

by C.J. Anderson-Wu

You are a son

Raised with the disciplines

Of respect and ancestral legacy

But we don’t know your name, or

Who has missed you since decades ago

They are too afraid to reclaim you

You are a husband

Loved with passion

And unconditioned trust

But we don’t know your name, or

Who has lost you since you turned thirty years old

They are forced to condemn you

You are a father

Relied on with needs that are

Expected to grow into faith

But we don’t know your name, or

Who has been bereaved of you because of your activism

They have no choice but to deny you

Here we offer a white lily on your grave

With headstone absent

To substitute the justice you pursued

But is still unfound