The Book of Liwen

In those days,

Injustice and betrayal

Will reign hand in hand.

There will be no warnings.

Armed men will come to stand

Against the people,

With their threatening weapons

Running over their own brothers.

And they will vandalise

Their belongings;

They will mistreat them.

And they will be displaced;

Homeless children evicted

By those acts where

The force takes preference,

And compassion and respect

Become indifferent.

How many jewels will he collect

Before he decides to leave?

How much admiration will be left

For that family portrait sitting high?

But when he comes to repent

For what he did,

It will be too late.

For the old man will not turn

The other cheek

Nor forget easily.

Betrayal with betrayal

Will be paid.