Early November 2021, Elon Musk was in the morning news again. His tweeting of an ancient poem “Quatrain of Seven Steps” created a stir among his followers, what has this famous Chinese poem got anything to do with Elon Musk companies? I did not read the news further, as I have never (and may not) be a fan of this guy anytime soon.
What impress me is how this old poem still do wonders at least to me. I can almost remember how Papa have in so many, many occasions told us this story from the 3 Kingdom of China around. I remember Papa’s book thatis always around his bedside, the book continues to amaze him for many years until it was replaced by the Bible. Papa was a great fan of China’s 3 Kingdom, we remember him telling stories about “Sam-Kook”
煮豆持作羹, 豆在釜中泣。
本自同根生，相煎何太急？
Boiling the beans to make soup broth, with broken beanstalks. in the pot, the beans weep. Are we not from the same root, why are we in such a hurry to kill ourselves?
Read more about the Seven Steps Verses, Quatrain of Seven Steps.
As I reflect on the deep meaning of this poem and remembering the many instances Papa was telling us about the beans and the beanstalk. It dawned on me that I have an obligation and responsibility to pass this on to my next generation, to our next generation.
Inspired and feeling creative, I sat down, and very quickly wrote this poem, I called Brother (actually I should called it “Brothers. Sisters. My Family”)
I reached out to my favorite singer and guitarist, Elliot Sheridan from England, and gave some pointers to the music I intend this to be rhymed with, and presto, here goes the Poem in a Song – Brother.
A speck of seed, bud a life we came
And the colors, we look but the same.
Peas in a pod, we overlooked.
Blessings ignored and simple mistook.
Was it just yesterday, up the hills we play
Checkers and marbles, any time of the day
You’re my best friend, I heard me said
Never a dull moment, together we stayed.
Then friends came by to win my heart
And over the years, we grew much apart.
Sons and Daughters and our numbers grew
In different directions before we knew
A tiny root, into life we came
And the colors, we look but the same.
Peas in a pod, we overlooked.
Blessings ignored and misunderstood.
Many years passed, hair grey and white
Pride and ego kept us out of sight
Come winter, come spring, summer and fall
Did I just hear my best friend call?
Time is short, yester years now gone,
Should I wait, for what’s beyond
“Life is what you make it” 1 they say
“Help me make it though the night”2, I pray.
A tiny branch, into life we came
And the colors, we look but just the same.
Carry me brother, for I’m beat and lame 3
I’m frail and I’m weak, oh what a shame.
Family, once — really meant so much 4
But now we barely keep in touch.
Like the seasons, life can take its turn
Mere mortals, we have so much to learn
Please let me be the best that I can be
My brothers, my sisters, my family.
Trespasses, I beg to please forgive
Offenses forgotten, to you I give
A humble seed, bud a life we came
By the colors, we look just the same.
Peas in a pod, did we overlooked,
Bleassing ignored, and simply mistook.
From a tiny root, bud a life we came 5
By the names, we sounded just the same.
Keep the past in the past, oh let it fade, 6
For tomorrow may just come too late.
A simple branch, into life we came
By the colors, we looked but the same.
He ain’t heavy, he is my brother
Life but once, for there is no other.
1 “Life is what you make it”, I am still trying to remember who originally sang this song, I thought it was like from by around 1969 or 70? Any idea?
2 “Help me make it through the night” Borrowed from the song made famous by Elvis, should also be a 50 year old song, eh?
3 “Carry me brother.” Somehow, something is still bothering me. At this age, I still am bothered by the current events — the hatred, the division, covid, vaccines, mask or unmasked and all the troubles of the world, and even my past mistakes, and to the great unknown future, and many many more. I sleep well at night, but once in a while, I hear myself calling “Carry me brother” — when I am sick and weak, when I am beat and lame.
4 “Family really is” all we have. In times of happiness, in times of pain. We can always take refuge in our family. We went separate ways, but in the end, the road leads back to my family. And to each and eveyrone of my brothers, my sisters – I ask for forgiveness if I have offended you.
5 From the same root, the same beans pod, the same beanstalk. We are but the same. I can always hear Papa’s word of “brothers taking care of each other”
6 For tomorrow may just come too late. Yes, let’s keep past in the past, let bygones be bygones, forgive and forget, for tomorrow may be too late.
To our boys, now big boys. Brothers are Forever. Family is everything. I will always be there for you, and you for me, and your brother for you. You are a blessing to me and mama.
