in touch
in Japan, a villager
rests on tatami mats
while sipping tea…
a light and grassy taste…
gazes at a bamboo…pine tree garden
laced white with blossomed plum
azalea…and wisteria…
he breathes in musty damp
of clay lined lily ponds
where circling koi flash golden…
and spreading moss and pebbled paths
draw his thought to insight
In China, a flutist
on a stone arched bridge
plays his silver flute
threading lines of melody
into a mist of evening…
while listeners pause their errands
and cease speaking
to hear compelling sound
In Gansu, awed visitors
circle round and round
a bronze green flying horse
treading on a swallow’s back…
it seems…the swallow is alarmed
to feel the glancing touch of hoof
while the horse gasps with the sense
of flight on top of flight
In Kao-Lin, a ceramist
at a potter’s spinning wheel
inhales the dense and earthy smell
of soft white Kao-Lin clay…
eyes closed, he uses fingers…mind
with just experience of touch
to live life’s supreme sense arbiter
against oblivion
Bonnie Marshall
Han Dynasty…”The Flying Horse of Gansu”
Bonnie, really a lovely, incisive set of diaramas you’ve painted all coming down to that Asian sense of thought. Great read. >KB
I wanted to write about the Gansu flying horse, because when I saw it on tour I desperately wanted to touch it…climb right onto its back…I know, international incident. Thanks much, KB.)
Gorgeous vignettes, Bonnie–love the idea of the horse on the swallows back, flight upon flight–striking.
Glad you found and liked that detail, Johnnycrabcakes .) Grateful thanks. )
So incredible that you can write so richly about so many experiences!
It’s fun creating for family, Nancy, and for students…blog readers…for their imaginations to enjoy for a while…maxadaland. Glad you’re there!
It is such a pleasure to listen to your poem.
And, truly, my pleasure to say it for you to hear.) Thank you so much. )
gotta love those last two lines; also the relationship between horse and bird … Easter. 1916, anyone? or is that just me?
Go for it, Ward…what is the connection, for if anyone knows, you should.(smiles)