A few years ago a story broke in the news about the persecution of Buddhist monks in the country of Burma. These brave monks were passively protesting the overwhelming corruption within the Burmese government, which had purposefully kept its citizens living in poverty. The Burmese Buddhist monks demanded freedom from poverty and in return were beaten or killed. Monks are quite well known for their compassion, but what struck me about this story was the courage they displayed as well. Originally much longer, For Burma speaks to the courage and beauty apparent in the lives, and ultimately the deaths, of these monks. 

Marie Jones

Click here to read the poem.