Lijiang In Yunnan, China

SPRINGTIME MEMORIES Mountain sentinels By ancient town; Clear waters cascade Cobblestone streets Winding pavements; Trade offerings buzz Fertile plains Crystal clear waters; Shady trees guard Treasure-hunting stroll... Through Lijiang Old Town; Curiosity detours So many things to see Pleasant fare tempting; Buying spree bargains Artisans at work Township flings open trade; Silver metal everywhere Older than 800 years: Lijiang Town welcomes journeys, Far beyond old silk route days Modern day muse in-transit Old town atmosphere; Traced footsteps in awe Wonder amazes wander A world heritage city; Precious ancient Chinese pearl A gentle spirit strays here, Preserved antiquity loiters; Unspoilt living testament Clear pristine waters gush High mountain peaks preside; Beauty frames this township Spring waters flow non-stop, Shared community well conduits; Drinking, bathing, washing Modern day irony: Drinking water from taps; Plastic bottled water By the winding canals Smaller streams circle around; Waterways and arched bridges Elegant old town greets Tourists' camera shutter intrusion; Gentle householders calmly polite By this ancient arched bridge, I wonder a thousand times; So much to see in a short expense We go around here In circles winding zigzag; Catch our breath from trekking Memory can be short-changed: I buy a few book souvenirs; I will reminisce tour days later Too soon morning turns High noonday sun shines hot; Cool breeze smoothes rough edges Late evening darkness in Lijiang Old Town in spring courtyard; Colourful lanterns brighten Buzz of evening vendors A thousand offerings call; Bazaar along the winding streets Common folks with wares Struggle to live a life; Survival instincts ply As I stroll by Hear offers for strange stuff; All manners of touting I like these gentle people Trying to make a sale; Touting for a living Our tour guide spreads Good advice on-the-road: Buy only what you need Cascading waters flow Through Ancient Lijiang Town; Authentic tourist hotspot By ancient bridge photo snapshot: Happy keepsake momento, To reflect when I get home Hand-in-hand we strolled Through winding walkways; My darling and I enroute I remember that moment: Springtime in May -- Lijiang kept fond company Sensorial avenues Memory instructs reality; Journey journal pages I write to highlight To my self once more; My own editorial times One month back home now June sprinkles hot and humid here; How nice Lijiang's cool zephyrs? Silver bangle from Yunnan Solid white metal on my wrist; Roman numerals add up to 78 Unearth my keepsake books Yunnan in full colour; Smiles amuse eyes feasting Glimpses of old China Surge and surge again; Fond memories attend Old weeping willow Hunched trunk sighing; Ancient times loiter Leon Enriquez 22 June 2014 Singapore