The Great Wall, Revisited

The Great Wall

Is nothing that can be seen

Except in the stolid eyes of the people

It is nothing that can be felt

Except in the cold faces of the people

It does not exist in stone

Except in the stony hearts of the people

The Great Wall

Is built of flesh and blood

It is a vast edifice that stretches

The entire length and width of the land

The Great Wall

Is thousands of years old

A matter of countless generations

Of parents and children

Of a culture so enclosed for so long

That its people fear the outside world

In complete ignorance and narrow prejudice

The Great Wall is a Chinese construction

That encloses and envelops the Chinese soul

In a wall of security and protection

It is a wall stronger and more steadfast

Than any brick partition

Harder and more durable

Than any stone known to humankind