THE FIRST PRIZE OF FIRST SHAOLIN WAHNAM POETRY COMPETITION

(reproduced from http://shaolin.org/general-3/poetry-competition/first.html)

Santiago Criado

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You can read all the poems submitted for the Competition here

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The Master
Santiago Criado

Let me hold your hand, ‘til you can understand, let me hold your hand.

It’s alright if you cry, even if you don’t know why, it’s alright if you cry.

Let me help you to smile, even if it’s for a while, let me help you to smile.

Just smile from the heart, and the wall will fall apart, just smile from the heart.

Let me guide you in your way, oh through night and day, let me guide you in your way.

I will help you to forget any kind of regret, I will help you to forget.

You’ll be able to forgive, it’ll be a great relief, you’ll be able to forgive.

You will live in the now, and I will teach you how, you will live in the now.

You don’t have to feel scared, you can fly like a bird, you don’t have to feel scared.

You’ll enjoy the flow of life, and how to be alive, you’ll enjoy the flow of life.

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Please click here to view a video of Santiago singing his poem

LINKS

Overview
All the Poems Submitted for the Competition

THE SECOND PRIZE OF FIRST SHAOLIN WAHNAM POETRY COMPETITION

(reproduced from http://shaolin.org/general-3/poetry-competition/second.html)

THE THIRD PRIZE OF FIRST SHAOLIN WAHNAM POETRY COMPETITION

(reproduced from http://shaolin.org/general-3/poetry-competition/third.html)

Davy Noguera

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You can read all the poems submitted for the Competition here

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They Burned Everything
Davy Noguera

They burned everything,

 

leaving nothing more than ashes

 

above and below the rocks.

 

And yet we still exist,

 

beyond all the temples,

 

with the world as our new temple.

 

The tree was torn limb from limb,

 

the flowers ripped away and thrown far

 

so they would sink into forgottenness.

 

But the pollen and the fruits were taken to the South,

 

beyond the borders of the kingdom,

 

beyond all the coasts and the oceans,

 

beyond time – devourer of all.

 

And the fruits gave their seeds to a new land

 

and from the pollen we birthed new life.

 

We’re no longer monks, but we carry

 

the code and the lineage.

 

With our hearts open like a sky without clouds

 

we spread joy and goodness throughout the world.

 

To the East, far to the East we don’t hide,

 

a new Patriarch has opened the treasure chest.

 

Heaven and its Immortals accompany him,

 

while beneath him the family grows.

 

This is the will of the Cosmos,

 

with its blessings to all.

 

Translated from Spanish into English by Andrew Robert

LINKS

Overview
All the Poems Submitted for the Competition

BEST OVERALL NON-ENGLISH POEM IN TRANSLATION

(reproduced from http://shaolin.org/general-3/poetry-competition/overall.html)

Sifu Naoko Yamada

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You can read all the poems submitted for the Competition here

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Morning Dew
Sifu Naoko Yamada

At dawn

The dew of the rainy season

On the grass

glitters a reflection of me

that vanishes by evening

Translated into English by Sifu Emiko Hsuen

Original Poem in Japanese

朝つゆ

朝焼けの

つゆの 光れし

草の上

我を写せど

夕には失せり

LINKS

Overview
All the Poems Submitted for the Competition

BEST JAPANESE POEM IN TRANSLATION

(reproduced from http://shaolin.org/general-3/poetry-competition/japan.html)

Miyuki Kuroda

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You can read all the poems submitted for the Competition here

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Father’s Hands
Miyuki Kuroda

 

Now, Father’s hands are wrinkled.

When I was a child, I thought they were the biggest hands in the world.

When those hands would squeeze mine, I would be reassured.

When I couldn’t sleep at night, those hands would hold me and gently pat me on the back.

Probably when Father was just born, his hands must have been plump and round.

During his youth, he must have experienced hardship.

When he met Mother, when I was born and my little brother was born, he must have been happy.

Hands that worked so hard for his family and society, Father’s.

Now, I am the one who squeezes his hands.

Not quite sad, not quite happy.

My Father’s wrinkled hands.

Translater into English by Sifu Emiko Hsuen

Original Poem in Japanese

父の手

今では、しわしわの父の手。

幼い時は、世界で一番大きな手だと思ってた。

その手でギュッと握られると安心した。

眠れない夜、抱っこして背中を優しくたたいてくれた。

生まれたばかりの父の手は、ぷっくりしていただろう。

青春時代は、辛い日々を経験しただろう。

母とであった時、私と弟が生まれた時は幸せだっただろう。

一生懸命、家族や社会のために働いた父の手。

今は、その手を私が握る。

嬉しいいような、寂しいいような 。

しわしわの父の手.

LINKS

Overview
All the Poems Submitted for the Competition

BEST GERMAN POEM IN TRANSLATION

(reproduced from http://shaolin.org/general-3/poetry-competition/germany.html)

Martha Maderthaner

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You can read all the poems submitted for the Competition here

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Everyday Things
Martha Maderthaner

To notice and say yes

say yes to what is

to everyday things

to change

to letting go

To leave it

leave it as it is

to notice and give some space

To be at one

at one with everyday things

with the past

with the tales

with change

with letting go.

Translated into English by Angelika Stallhofer

LINKS

Overview
All the Poems Submitted for the Competition

BEST ITALIAN POEM IN TRANSLATION

(reproduced from http://shaolin.org/general-3/poetry-competition/italy.html)

Patrizia Mittiga

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You can read all the poems submitted for the Competition here

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Change
Patrizia Mittiga

The Spring wind lightness comes over my body

 

My surprised heart blooms to the new flow

 

The weight of a tired and grieved soul moves silently away

 

While my look shines with a new light

 

Original Poem in Italian

La leggerezza del vento di primavera pervade il mio corpo

 

Il mio cuore si apre sorpreso al respiro nuovo

 

Il peso dell’anima stanca di dolore si allontana in silenzio

 

Mentre splende di luce nuova lo sguardo.

 

LINKS

Overview
All the Poems Submitted for the Competition