Shards of Shanghai

Upturned Chinese roofs
In a soft silhouette
Look so majestic
On top of the hill—
Encompassed in fog
In low light and shadows,
Quite simply surreal—

Boats filled with refugees
Fleeing Shanghai from
The Japanese invasion
‘Midst the chaos of war.
Gentle waves lap against
Boat hulls in dire contrast
To the noisy bomb blasts.

As shown on drawn faces
Fear and faith interlaces
With a hopeful resolve.
Comrades of all races
Are joined in this throng.
They sail away to far places
Not knowing their fate,
As in divine kinship
They now all belong.


Note* I was inspired to write this piece by a wonderful
movie I watched called The White Countess.

Copyright © | Year Posted 2010



Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Date: 6/4/2010 10:52:00 PM
Beautiful expressions of the paradoxes that are found in every war. Nicely done. Dan C ps. Someone told me that you were a flight attendant. I wrote a poem about them and had it published in their newsletter. It's here on the soup if you want to read it.
Login to Reply
Date: 5/10/2010 12:29:00 PM
Oh I would have liked that Shanghai was such a teeming place, a real den of inequity. The modern building make you feel like the Jetson's live there! Thanks for the nice comment and you are the first one to get....the tension in my verse...I was beginning to wonder if I was too delicate LOL.
Login to Reply
Date: 4/20/2010 4:02:00 PM
Really well done, impressive- I shall check out the movie
Login to Reply
Date: 4/20/2010 6:09:00 AM
Magnificent imagery of the architecture and atmosphere in China make this a beautiful poem, Connie. You received wonderful inspiration from the movie. I was not familiar with this invasion and am attracted to historical writes like yours. Awesome! Love, Carolyn
Login to Reply
Date: 4/19/2010 10:10:00 PM
connie this is weird. I was able to come here tonight after all, but now I cannot respond to blogs nor see my soupmails! thanks for your comments. Luv, andrea
Login to Reply
Date: 4/19/2010 6:09:00 AM
Very descriptive and emotive write that I could just feel the emotion that these people are experiencing ...Keep the creative pen flowing...Thanks for stopping by and commenting on my work...Sara
Login to Reply
Date: 4/18/2010 11:35:00 PM
I love the stark contrasts in this!
Login to Reply
Date: 4/18/2010 11:13:00 PM
A beautiful write from you. ONce again, this is one I hope many others will read here. You are an inspiration, Connie. LUv, Andrea
Login to Reply
Date: 4/18/2010 9:22:00 PM
I have had the pleasure of knowing a few of the children of those who sailed to Australia. I haven't seen the film but will watch out for it. well done Connie...Margaret
Login to Reply
Get a Premium Membership
Get more exposure for your poetry and more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Radiant Verses: A Journey Through Inspiring Poetry

Member Area

My Admin
Profile and Settings
Edit My Poems
Edit My Quotes
Edit My Short Stories
Edit My Articles
My Comments Inboxes
My Comments Outboxes
Soup Mail
Poetry Contests
Contest Results/Status
Followers
Poems of Poets I Follow
Friend Builder

Soup Social

Poetry Forum
New/Upcoming Features
The Wall
Soup Facebook Page
Who is Online
Link to Us

Member Poems

Poems - Top 100 New
Poems - Top 100 All-Time
Poems - Best
Poems - by Topic
Poems - New (All)
Poems - New (PM)
Poems - New by Poet
Poems - Read
Poems - Unread

Member Poets

Poets - Best New
Poets - New
Poets - Top 100 Most Poems
Poets - Top 100 Most Poems Recent
Poets - Top 100 Community
Poets - Top 100 Contest

Famous Poems

Famous Poems - African American
Famous Poems - Best
Famous Poems - Classical
Famous Poems - English
Famous Poems - Haiku
Famous Poems - Love
Famous Poems - Short
Famous Poems - Top 100

Famous Poets

Famous Poets - Living
Famous Poets - Most Popular
Famous Poets - Top 100
Famous Poets - Best
Famous Poets - Women
Famous Poets - African American
Famous Poets - Beat
Famous Poets - Cinquain
Famous Poets - Classical
Famous Poets - English
Famous Poets - Haiku
Famous Poets - Hindi
Famous Poets - Jewish
Famous Poets - Love
Famous Poets - Metaphysical
Famous Poets - Modern
Famous Poets - Punjabi
Famous Poets - Romantic
Famous Poets - Spanish
Famous Poets - Suicidal
Famous Poets - Urdu
Famous Poets - War

Poetry Resources

Anagrams
Bible
Book Store
Character Counter
Cliché Finder
Poetry Clichés
Common Words
Copyright Information
Grammar
Grammar Checker
Homonym
Homophones
How to Write a Poem
Lyrics
Love Poem Generator
New Poetic Forms
Plagiarism Checker
Poetics
Poetry Art
Publishing
Random Word Generator
Spell Checker
Store
What is Good Poetry?
Word Counter