Unassuming Heroes Poem by Grant House

An unassuming hero stands there
On the other side of the world
Looks through a lens window
Into our hearts
Tells the truth
Warns us of imminent danger
Is silenced
Briefly
Then
Calls for openness and transparency
Says
I think a healthy society should not have just one voice

The virus he warns us about
Attacks his own body
He says
After I recover, I still want to return to the front line
The epidemic is still spreading
I don't want to be a deserter

Early on a Friday morning
After extraordinary efforts to save him
The virus wins

His spirit
An inspiration to us all
The antidote to fear, lies, and coverups
Everywhere
Spreads around the world
A force for good

Dr. Li Wenliang
Hero
Looks through a lens window
Into our hearts

We open our arms in gratitude
His spirit
Lives on
In us

What then

What will make us stand up
Confront the fear
The lies
The coverups

What authenticity
Will send our spirits around the world
Unassuming heroes
Looking through lens windows
Into hearts
Telling the truth
A force for good

Learn to recognize heroes
Thank them
Give them long and fruitful spirit lives
And then
In your own way
And your own time
Recognize the hero you are becoming
Allow us to appreciate you
In honor of Dr. Li
Thank you