The Mystery of Jade Ornaments

The Mystery of Jade Ornaments
Yong Wan Choi

Sky and sea change their faces morning and evening
but a rock keeps one shape where it stands
so no one knew the mystery hidden inside
until a great hole opened

The softness of seawater slipping through the fingers
gently rubbing the rock's inner flesh while the world slept
in the rock that even fevered thunderbolts striking down could never pierce
opened the gate of a womb

Each time the surging sea carried in the energy of heaven
and released it inside the open cave
dazzling sunlight pushed
deep into the hollow of the rock, into the wet mist
a new dynasty was born inside the body of the rock
and its first cry woke the whole world from its dawn sleep
the people who saw the morning sun in the cave
from that day on bored holes through the middle of jade
strung them on thread, wore them on their bodies, hung them from their ears
and lived believing in the mystery of the hollow in the rock

( 08.01.07, after visiting the Maya civilization )