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Call & Response Poems #1

A Center By Ha Jin

You must hold your quiet center,

where you do what only you can do.

If others call you a maniac or a fool,

just let them wag their tongues.

If some praise your perseverance,

don't feel too happy about it—

only solitude is a lasting friend.


You must hold your distant center.

Don't move even if earth and heaven quake.

If others think you are insignificant,

that's because you haven't held on long enough.

As long as you stay put year after year,

eventually you will find a world

beginning to revolve around you.




Without One

by CosmicCoconut


I can let go of my loud extremities,

when I stop that everyone must stop.

When we renege my title, the idiot or genius,

tape our mouths shut.

When a person undervalues their sloth,

celebrate the loss –

Every community was not a temporary enemy.

I can let go of my core extremities.

Move especially when the moon and hell quake.

When we know I am not substantial,

it’s why I’ve slipped above forever.

Even if I move breath before breath,

I will never lose the universe

ending at my heart.

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