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K’ung Fu Tzu or Confucius his English name,
for centuries, brought China much dignity and fame.

Born in the state of Lu, now Province of Shantung,
a scholar of Asia, Chinese his native born tongue.

As a child, he held a make-believe temple ritual,
as an adult, love and learning became habitual.

Confucius was made a magistrate by Duke Zhao of Lu,
under his administration, the small city flourished and grew.

Bordering countries worried, Lu would get too strong,
Confucius resigned, so that the countries would get along.

Royal courts shunned Confucius, plotted to kill him,
He was arrested and jailed, his future looked very grim. 

He sent word to a kindhearted king, in nearby homeland,
to rescue Confucius, a solution the king had planned.

Confucius shared ideas and teachings with royal notabilities,
who learned eventually of his distinguished abilities.

Only after his death did Confucianism commence,
everything he taught completely made sense.

Confucius bequeathed no writings or historical list,
but it is known that the “Record of Rites” exist.

 “Record of Rites” contains anecdotes about his teachings,
a complete collection of his students’ preachings. 

There are three dimensions of human condition,
that totally make up the Chinese tradition.

Self, community, and tradition are Confucian spirituality,
and endless teachings of human morality.

Father and son were held in high admiration,
since man was the family’s root foundation.

Ruler and minister maintained social order,
developed guidelines of human social border.

Husbands controlled the family and his wife,
she had no opinion in her family or her life.

Elders were held in higher regard than the child,
since great wisdom held their social order more mild.

The last of the social order was the true friend,
from which the human could fully depend.

These five bonds were developed for flourishing souls,
and the boundaries that were set for Confucian goals.

Confucius says; never give a sword to a man that can’t dance,
and real knowledge is to know the extent of one’s ignorance.

Copyright © 2010  By Caryl S. Muzzey

Fifth Place Winner ~ "Broad Horizons” Poetry Contest
Sponsored by: Deborah Guzzi
June 30, 2010

My suject is "The Five Bonds of Confucianism"
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