It seems that this week has marked a turn toward summer and a goodbye to winter- already hot and happy days here in Xi’an. However, I must apologize to those out there enjoying these warm Spring days who also have an understanding of the great art of poetry; as one afternoon at my desk this week, with the sun not far away and with a pen poised over a few Chinese characters, these very English words came streaming out. It was a pleasure to write, the apology above applies to the fact the same may not be able to be said about the time to read. First however, a quick note from James Fenton’s excellent ‘An Introduction to English Poetry‘: ” The voice is raised, and that is where poetry begins”. (2002: 10)
Expat Gloom
It does not take the Winter to break,
To remind how easy this place is to take,
Misdemeanors aside,
Even then, not much I cannot abide.
It does not take the Winter to break,
To remind us this place is no fake,
Some shout and holla; this, that and the other,
I just say: “Oh Brother!”.
It has not taken the Winter to break,
To remind what really does grate;
Those Founding Fathers of expat doom,
Wishing they were in some other room,
That cards so dealt,
Have left them in a lifeless tomb.
Maybe it will take the Winter to break,
To remind of the positivity to take
Life by the scruff of the neck
And to ring the last drop of acceptance
Of our lucky place
In this Goddamned world of saving face.
Because for most we see it is no disgrace,
To work a day with no let up,
The nagging feeling: “Why do not I just give up?”
It does not take the Winter to break,
To remind how easy ’tis to be peeved
On the basis of the preconceived.
Open Door, Closed Door:
Policy to right and those too wrong.
Though, let us not forget the Bell Tower throng,
Who are as likely to burst into song,
Than smoke a chillum or a bong.
We drift and wheeze
On the back of a dying Colonial breeze
And we feel the Easterly chill,
As quite some bitter pill
To take.
Future perfect, past perfect?
You decide. I’ve no idea,
But I’m happy to be along for the ride.
It does not take the Winter to break,
To remind me,
That I’m happy to be along for the ride.
西安