Notes About The Poem

Premiere Contest WinnerAs I Journey East

Come along with me as I journey East
where fragile cherry blossoms flutter
before raining down from cloudless skies.
Let's climb majestic mountains whose crests 
are always laced with crowns of snow.

Here, the scent of jasmine is caught in a breeze.
Bonsai forests hold ancient secrets of long past civilizations.
We will see dragons who seem to soar beyond the moon,
then take the shape of koi with the rising sun.

Listen as bamboo chimes sing in windswept percussion.
Their hollow voices reach across Tokachi River.
Legend says it was etched by the flowing tears 
of a young Geisha who cried all night
when she saw her red-budded lips mirrored in a lake.

It's now a sacred place where lovers often meet 
when the hint of a sanguine sunset fills the sky. 
Their whispered words of passion's promises 
are drowned in roars of towering waterfalls.

Say you'll come and we'll fly amid flocks of crane, 
across paddies and valleys of lush green,
then feast upon crispy roasted duck 
before we lick our fingers clean of Hoisin. 

Sleep will find us beneath a blanket of willows,
and we'll gaze in awed wonder when we wake, 
at the most exotic land of splendors we've ever seen.
We'll surrender promises that one day we will return, 
for this is where our hearts now wish to dwell.

Give us brushes and canvas; paints of boldest oils
to capture the Oriental beauty, naked before our eyes.



July 1st, 2017
Exotic Places 
by Debbie Guzzi
Copyright © | Year Posted 2017

Poem

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Dietrich Avatar
July 25, 2017 at 6:04 PM
Outstanding work, LIn. I am proud to have such a poetic friend as you who can deliver such gorgeous lines of poetry. Congrats on your number one win.
Marcum Wong Avatar
July 24, 2017 at 3:05 AM
The beauty in this poem is stunning Lin! I see why it garnered First place! Congratulations my friend! : )
Lane Avatar
July 24, 2017 at 5:15 AM
Thank you for finding beauty in my descriptive write, Connie. I always love your visits.
Barden Avatar
July 23, 2017 at 4:53 PM
I ADORE this, Lin, and I adore everything about Oriental Culture, especially Japan ... it is number two on my Bucket List, and I have a couple of friends there. This is an exquisite poem and focuses on all about the Far East that I love, and does so exquisitely! Adding this to my favs - congrats on a well-earned Firt Place, my friend! :-) <3
Lane Avatar
July 23, 2017 at 6:38 PM
Thanks ever so much, Greg, for your many compliments. It so happens that if I had a bucket list of places to visit it would be my 2nd choice, after Scotland.
Schwartz Avatar
July 23, 2017 at 10:41 AM
Beautifully done, as if I am there myself.. Congratulations on your win !! :)
Lane Avatar
July 23, 2017 at 10:50 AM
Thank you for such a wonderful comment, Glen. It's one of the best for a poet to know that she's taken a reader on the journey with her.
Guzzi Avatar
July 22, 2017 at 8:37 PM
Thanks so much for treating me to this verse. I too love the east. Please do enter my next contest & if you would like editing assistance & advice about where to send your work to be published just soup mail me. Congrad's Light & Love Debbie
Lane Avatar
July 23, 2017 at 6:23 AM
It's I who thank you for the honor of 1st place, Debbie. I appreciate your hosting a contest that frees the minds of poets who seek to travel through the land of their imagination. With gratitude ~ Lin
Allison Avatar
July 22, 2017 at 6:18 PM
Way to go Lin, I KNEW this would do well for you - to place at number one in Debbie's contest REALLY means something she is an excellent judge and I am truly delighted for you:-) hugs jan xx
Lane Avatar
July 23, 2017 at 6:21 AM
I'm going to make you a cheerleader outfit, my dear, Jan. lol Thanks so much for all of your encouragement.
Cozart Avatar
July 22, 2017 at 5:03 PM
Congrats on your win , Lin!
Lane Avatar
July 23, 2017 at 6:20 AM
Thank you very much, Dale. ;-)
Sheehan Avatar
July 7, 2017 at 10:30 AM
Excellent write. Nice imagery. The last 3 stanzas are fantastic. Enjoyed it immensely.
Lane Avatar
July 7, 2017 at 10:56 AM
Thank you so very much, Frank. I appreciate that you pointed out something you particularly like. ;-)
Turner Avatar
July 2, 2017 at 1:44 PM
Is that painting for sale? Masterfully written, Peaches. If you were there, they would never notice their surroundings, nor would they care:)
Lane Avatar
July 2, 2017 at 6:53 PM
Thank you.
Daniel Avatar
July 2, 2017 at 8:54 AM
How beautifully you describe such a pretty place in all its exotic detail, Lin! Hope I can join you some day in your tour to Japan:) for now, I'm satisfied with your lovely poem:)
Lane Avatar
July 2, 2017 at 11:04 AM
Pack a bag and come along, Jo. We're all going together. Thank you so very much for your great thoughts.
Wolf Avatar
July 2, 2017 at 4:14 AM
This is lovely, Lin! Best of luck to you
Lane Avatar
July 2, 2017 at 11:03 AM
Your comments are always so welcome. Thank you.
Sathasivam Avatar
July 2, 2017 at 3:34 AM
Excellent. Well penned and great imagery write. Thanks for sharing it.
Lane Avatar
July 2, 2017 at 11:02 AM
Thanks very much, Ravi.
Cozart Avatar
July 1, 2017 at 6:05 PM
I WANT TO GO. Who'll give me the traveler's checks? Several thou should do it.
Lane Avatar
July 1, 2017 at 6:12 PM
It appears that we're starting a travel group. lol Group rates will be cheaper so let's make plans. Thanks for the mail, Dale.
Allison Avatar
July 1, 2017 at 5:31 PM
WOW you took me to paradise with your incredible imagery Lin! I hope this does well for you in the contest!!!:-) hugs Jan xx
Lane Avatar
July 1, 2017 at 6:11 PM
You're a most welcome travel companion, Jan. Let's go. Thank you.
Hamilton Avatar
July 1, 2017 at 5:26 PM
She wanted exotic and you delivered big time Lin! I sense a winner here, hard to top this one!
Lane Avatar
July 1, 2017 at 6:11 PM
Thank you, John. I've always wanted to spend time in Japan, so this was the first place I thought of as being exotic. Maybe in time indefinite I'll make it there.
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