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 itβ
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.
~I think that this poem is about not letting other people bother you because of who you are and what you want to believe. Just keep on being you and hold onto your beliefs. Even if others make fun of you just keep holding on and don’t give up. I really like the line “If some praise your perseverance don’t feel too happy about about itβ only solitude is a lasting friend” because it’s talking about how the thoughts of others won’t last forever and won’t always be with you because solitude and silence is what stays with you in the end.
Sassy Succulents 