Knowing and Believing

I believe Because I don’t know I know the sun rises in the east and sets in the west I know spring follows summer Summer follows autumn Then winter But do I know God exists? No, I don’t That's why I believe Why do you believe? Because it gives me hope It gives me strength To march on with my life My mother believed She lost first three babies Even before they could walk and talk During WWII She lost her son when he was 15 He volunteered to join Japanese army To save his father from prison After the war he came home injured And died a year later After liberation from Japan His oldest son was labelled a communist In the democratic south Police harrased her Day and night 'Where is your son hiding?' 'I don't know, Sir' Was her only reply During the Korean War She saw her husband walking away Between two soldiers Never to return All through her married years She was harassed by Japanese police Harassed by North Korean soldiers Harassed by South Korean police But she marched on With her head straight Her heart in compassion She prayed without ceasing Asking God for strength To march on with her travails She lived to ninety two long years And left this world With smile on her face