“Song for Heaven” by Mark Hong

Illustration by A&LJ Editor Katrina Luzadas. Note from the poet: “This poem mimics a translation of Su Shi's "Song for the River Tune" provided by Professor S.E. Kile in his course Introduction to Chinese Civilization.”

How long has the moon been up there?

I ask myself, knowing the answer.

In a place I can’t fathom living

Is that where God sits?

Just like Chang’e before me,

After I have savored past this world,

I would hoist myself up beside her.

When I have settled and sang

will I turn around to see His face?

Walking me through each crater,

Touring through His collection of spirits,

God’s eternal life.

I shouldn’t think it,

But if I could, maybe squint,

Can I look at the world below?

For when I was mortal,

I knew light and dark;

The moon’s phases could also provide,

Light and dark and light again –

Things never stay.

So for the time I have in this life I pray

To share across a thousand miles its lovely graces.

Mark Hong is a freshman psychology student who looks forward to working in clinical psychology or psychiatry. He enjoys playing piano, violin, and singing.

Instagram: @markhong99