Best Chinatown Poems
They will not let me sleep!
For me, they are far brighter than the sun.
Which seems to wake everyone!
The moon and stars, though to me, are the most deep.
Calling awake my poetess' sleeping pen?
Recalling the beauty of my days and nights.
Kites by day~ then fog, in San Francisco nights.
I cherish you, and like my own child, shall never be forgotten.
Nor the Spartan love-god, that came from your hills.
The blessing of teaching in aromatiic Chinatown.
Those memories as lovely and soft as a foggy dawn.
The moon and stars, each night dance, a sparkling quadrille.
5/8/2021
~3~
Coming from out of nowhere
somewhere in space
somewhere above
Somewhere my love
Running and running I was
Those son of a guns
Would pop me in my head
Pop pop pop on my face
Splat spla splat
Trying to dodge them
But to no avail
**** happens I guess
They were streaming down
millions of them
Some as big as a house
Some tiny itsy-bitsy ones
Couldn't even see the sun shine
Clouds people or :-) Faces
I was the marathon man
I ran,ran and ran for cover
But they were everywhere
Snowflakes got bigger and bigger
I kept running uphill downhill
Uptown downtown Chinatown too
And to my surprise came a large snowball
Bigger than life itself Rolled side-by-side
Parallel to me it did
Soon was consumed by all this snow
Sucked up by this larger than life snowball
Rolling by the countryside
In speeds of up to 65
And continuing on this journey
never-ending
Seemed time had stood still
Being a wayward vagabond
And adventurer at heart
Although a prisoner I didn't mind
In spite of the path that was chosen
Before being born
In All the confusion what I miss most was my girl
Sweet Maggie May
As I would call ,in the sweet tender moments
That only Shakespeare would write about
And Rembrandt paint..
With all the thoughts on my Maggie May
Seems the cold didn't bother me at all
When suddenly seeing this other ball
Even larger than my own
Roll along side
To my amazement there was someone in it
a person like myself
Woopie woopie dandelions
I can't Believe it
Happy :-) At a thought of having someone
so near wow
We finally came to a halt
In the frozen tundra below
Knowing that years and years
had passed me by
Looking across the other side
Gazing at the other ball of snow white
To see this other person a prisoner like myself
Put a smile to my face and jumpstart to my heart
It was totally electrifying
I wasn't alone anymore
Me Maggie May and Those big balls
Here comes the sun..
Llfeproof, I see your gauntlet thrown down
Is my life rough enough to smash your crown?
Are my depths so deep to make you drown?
If I leave you on the dash when I’m in town
Can you take the heat; will you melt down?
I’ll pitch you to my son; he’ll knock you downtown
Maybe even all the way to Cooperstown
Take you on a sweaty run, sun-up to sundown
Wear you on my hip when I ride ‘round
Subject you to every ride on the playground
(But modern playgrounds are all padded down)
Dance all day and night at a howdown
Take you to Tombstone for a showdown
Pick a fight with a boxer of world renown
Ask a pro wrestler to see his best takedown
Drop you at the ranch in something brown
Leave you in a wok in Chinatown
Then take you to a masseuse for a rubdown
If I can’t defeat you, should I be let down?
Not rugged enough, should I wear a gown?
It appears that you survived, what a comedown
At least my phone’s safe, but still I frown
It’s ringing really loud, not in shutdown
Telling me not to be such a fool clown
4/14/15
Saturday flings
Sensorial pleasures;
Refreshing rain
~~~~~~~~~
A gift of somnolence
Moments on a breeze;
Drowsy airy feel
~~~~~~~~~
Beyond these silk curtains
An uncertain world;
Looking not seeing
~~~~~~~~~
Daughter's simple hair braids
Charming sight to see;
Wavy murmurings
~~~~~~~~~
Stroll by this old shop
Ancient owner smiles;
Dialect greeting nods
~~~~~~~~~
Faces in a crowd
Too many to remember;
Abrupt perfume swirls
~~~~~~~~~
Such sweet charming eyes
So mesmerising;
Lover styles smiles
~~~~~~~~~
Conscious awareness comes
To sleepy interlude;
Nightfall paints dark
~~~~~~~~~
Dragonflies chase morning
Across the muddy pond;
Lotus blossoms
~~~~~~~~~
Green frog floating
Twin eyes stare;
Set sight straight
~~~~~~~~~
Common fare for each
Feasting on simple;
Happy smiles at me
~~~~~~~~~
Stray wind drift
Soft chill on my skin;
Autumn exposure
~~~~~~~~~
Laughter now enroute
Wit plays with fun;
Happy faces here
~~~~~~~~~
Cosmetic surgery
A new facial expression;
Defer timely ageing
~~~~~~~~~
Electronic ink stains
Words emerge the same;
Rhyme clusters
~~~~~~~~~
Death comes too late
Life in weary strides;
Death before dying
~~~~~~~~~
Evil plots to live
The good die young;
For wrong reasons
~~~~~~~~~
This old tree speaks
Ancient language unknown;
Talks to the wind
~~~~~~~~~
I sit and wait for words
To fling and hurl and shout;
Poetry sums
~~~~~~~~~
By that Chinatown street
An old scholar's garden;
Bamboo moongate
~~~~~~~~~
Chinese calligraphy
Cryptic beauty adorns;
Profound symbols
~~~~~~~~~
Fast food menu
For Me n U;
Upsize perhaps
~~~~~~~~~
She murmurs in deep sleep
My darling wife dreams;
Charm watches
~~~~~~~~~
Starry constellations
Quiet conversations;
Absent words preside
~~~~~~~~~
Leon Enriquez
20 September 2014
Singapore
Observe and see
Festive cheer warms;
Spirits set free
~~~~~~~~~
Cherry blossoms
Pink carpet pathway;
Waiting patiently
~~~~~~~~~
Here's to you
Sakura moments;
Sparkling sunshine
~~~~~~~~~
Moon overhead
View from my window;
Tender conversations
~~~~~~~~~
Mahjong games
Relatives chit-chat;
My winning streak
~~~~~~~~~
Touch of magic
Spring wind rustles;
Cheery blossoms fall
~~~~~~~~~
Moonlight stroll
Old arch bridge;
Squeaky wood groans
~~~~~~~~~
Two cats sit
Eerie moon glow;
February interlude
~~~~~~~~~
Business sold
Fortune gained;
Hollow feeling
~~~~~~~~~
Here's to good cheer
Another year;
Grey hairs draw near
~~~~~~~~~
Old footpath short cut
Patient feet chiseled;
Old habits die hard
~~~~~~~~~
Memories unfurl
Grass verge updates;
Poignant moments
~~~~~~~~~
Joy greets sorrow
Sad together;
Melancholia sings
~~~~~~~~~
Elysia calls
Going home again;
Sudden departure
~~~~~~~~~
Photo album
Old era relatives;
Sepia burnout
~~~~~~~~~
Study abroad
Down Under Melbourne;
Kangaroo hop-scotch
~~~~~~~~~
Tinge of sadness
Stop to remember;
Fond times quicken
~~~~~~~~~
Airport terminal
Exquisite dine-in;
One for the road
~~~~~~~~~
Listless here
Holiday moods;
Mahjong punctuation
~~~~~~~~~
Toss of lucky food
Yu Sheng expose;
Fortune smiles
~~~~~~~~~
Words catch up
Meaning and motive;
Juxtapose
~~~~~~~~~
Spring season
Oriental red;
Chinatown tinctures
~~~~~~~~~
Leon Enriquez
22 February 2015
Singapore
Brisk as a breeze
Lunar new year installs;
Festive cheer punctuates
~~~~~~~~~
Smiling faces exchange
Auspicious greetings;
Mandarin oranges
~~~~~~~~~
Red packet gifts
Good fortune and peace;
Happy thoughts
~~~~~~~~~
Chinatown tryst
Colorful promenades;
Spirit of joy
~~~~~~~~~
Dazzling fireworks
Festival spirits sculpt;
Auspicious message
~~~~~~~~~
Wonderful blessings
Extraordinary feasts;
Family celebration
~~~~~~~~~
Lunar year deposits
Goat ushers more;
Contentment mingles
~~~~~~~~~
Ancient calligraphy
Auspicious messages;
Gold words on red paper
~~~~~~~~~
Listen now
Laughter and cheer;
Celebrate new joys
~~~~~~~~~
Another year older
Wiser perhaps;
Sync peace of mind
~~~~~~~~~
Time to reflect
On peace and joy;
Discover good fortune
~~~~~~~~~
Here's to joy
Let peace attend;
Abundance stays
~~~~~~~~~
Yu Sheng feast
Shouts of joy;
Fortune galore
~~~~~~~~~
Leon Enriquez
23 February 2015
Singapore
You knew I was angry
As we walked apart, along Spadina
Through the pungent summer air of Chinatown
Past the various sea creatures, dried or iced
And fruits I don’t know piled atop sacks of rice
I closed my eyes and let only the breeze run over me
A million particles per second
Imagining I could imagine every one
I let in the sunlight
And wondered in that amazement you only get
By thinking about everyday things
As the heat danced on my skin
And I thought about how it had been
Through eight minutes and twenty seconds of space
To land radiant on my face
I let things go and walked with you again
I felt stand-offish as you took my hand
But was in awe it was there at all
Or that you love me
Night market stalls
So much to see;
Feel happy daze
Curious eyes feast
Seek a fond buy;
Pretty things shout
Street food vendor
Pleasant fare delights;
Long queue waiting
Crowded street
Hawker offerings;
Brisk buy and sell
Waylaid by stuff
Hordes descend here;
Night bazaar tempts
Just for a while
Try buying happiness;
Walk the bazaar route
Street side beggar
Ragged marionette;
Selling tissue packs
Feeble old lady begs:
"Give me two dollars please..."
My wallet agrees
Caught in the act,
I sigh with heartache;
Old man collects discards
By this wayside
Beggar sleeps dreaming;
Sleeping in a warm bed
Chinatown detour
Sign of the times;
Lonely old folks gather
Faces from the past
Lingering here now;
Beyond expiry date
Sad and dreary
These haunting images;
Intrude upon sensibilities
My heart bleeds
Distressed by such sights;
Cruel squalor loiters
Time has excavated
Skeletons in the closet;
Revisiting old haunts
Now and then
Becomes by and by;
Broken pieces litter
Poverty speaks
In ugly tones;
Shady undertakings
To die is easy
Living is so hard;
Pain, suffering, disease
Oh my soul,
Let us go, you and I;
See better sights
Leon Enriquez
14 July 2014
Singapore
~~~~~~~~~
Evening skyline
Glow of last light;
Dark shadows creep
~~~~~~~~~
Green moss
Zen garden stones;
Calmness charms
~~~~~~~~~
Antique shoppe
Old proprietor;
Living antique
~~~~~~~~~
Cemetery visit
Angel statues stand
Guardians of death
~~~~~~~~~
Newspaper vendor
Hazards early rain;
Prompt delivery
~~~~~~~~~
World news broadcast
So many conflicts;
Violent humanity
~~~~~~~~~
Children's playground
Noisy little people;
Fun screams and shouts
~~~~~~~~~
Empty taxi cabs
Absent passengers;
Telling times
~~~~~~~~~
Economic woes felt
Here and there;
Poor job market
~~~~~~~~~
Old Kung-fu master
Long solitary wait;
No students come
~~~~~~~~~
Ginseng root brew
Potent tonic;
Energy surge
~~~~~~~~~
City skyscrapers
Over the horizon;
Pouring wet weather
~~~~~~~~~
Speeding carriages
Expressway crowds;
Sudden traffic jam
~~~~~~~~~
Ancient rooftops
Chinese architecture;
Old beauty glimpses
~~~~~~~~~
Morning joggers
On a brisk run;
Sparkling dawnlight
~~~~~~~~~
Old pavilion here
Leaking raindrops;
Wet shelter
~~~~~~~~~
Chinatown alleys
Shops with odd things;
Tourists congregate
~~~~~~~~~
Little India street
Spicy concortions;
Culture in full bloom
~~~~~~~~~
Words tell
Pictures swirl;
New sightings
~~~~~~~~~
Old hunchback lady
Malnutrition showing;
Struggles for pennies
~~~~~~~~~
Old man gathers
Discarded paper cartons;
Money for next meal
~~~~~~~~~
Fortune teller waits
Cards and incense;
Table advisory
~~~~~~~~~
Empty park bench
No one can sit;
Soaking wet
~~~~~~~~~
Cardio fitness
Gym membership;
Workout a sweat
~~~~~~~~~
Old photographs
Long ago moments;
Brown sepia scraps
~~~~~~~~~
Leon Enriquez
10 September 2014
Singapore
A festive feel in red and gold:
Chinatown deals Goat year most grand.
A splash of will as joy unfolds:
A Chinese fill as cheer attends.
~~~~~~~~~
This lunar year arrives with truth:
Our kindred ties forge a fine fest.
Those who are dear gather fond proof:
Our fortunes high in lovely quest.
~~~~~~~~~
Paint the town red takes new meaning:
Feel fond delight that ushers joy.
Poise favours red in warm sightings:
Feel grand insight in wealthy ploys.
~~~~~~~~~
Now we visit our kin folk here:
Auspicious wit merge with fine stay.
Now each to each greet with good cheer:
Prosper and reach this happy day.
~~~~~~~~~
Give red packets with blessings fond:
Touch now can live grandeur this spring.
Lucky trinkets to fill life's pond:
Joy heaps and gives as true health sings.
~~~~~~~~~
Such festive joy can fill the heart:
A touch beyond primes charming feel.
Good luck funds ploy in brilliant start:
A rhyme upon a springtime fill.
~~~~~~~~~
Leon Enriquez
18 February 2015
Singapore
Blurry e-motion
Waiting on words;
Upheaval swirls
Meal time posture
Food court harvest;
Same old stuff
Chinatown fringe
Walkabout excursion;
Hot humid weather chokes
Word for word jazz
Relevance juxtaposed;
Poignant verse strains
Book store punctuates
Tucked in a corner;
Niched following
Verse genres ply
Moods and variations;
Starling change surprise
Clap books monochrome
Small print runs;
Modest readership circle
Works on offer
Book bargains tease;
Second-hand relevance
Simple repast
Eat when hungry;
Flexible meal duration
Migraine fatigue hits
Siesta to recharge;
Stop gap measure
Cash and carry
Shopping trip downtown;
Happy getaway
Tired eyes droop
Glare of noon day sun;
Sudden shower wets
Casual visitors
Impromptu discourse;
Catchup chit-chat
So much to say
Hourglass reprieve;
Abruptly cut short
Conversations hurl
Mid-afternoon visit;
Twenty years backlog squeezed
We style a smile
Catch-up with past wit;
Great mileage in minutes
Joy in swift passage
Touching bases now;
Moments in retreat
Leon Enriquez
13 June 2014
Singapore
Journeys begin
Watch pulse of heart;
Intent conspires
Old Casuarina tree
By school compound;
Witness to history
Stormy morning
Thunder and lightning;
Moody weather lashing
My old school dome
Now a museum;
To cement yesterday
Book shop retreat
Between covers;
Too much to know
Tour agency desk
Brisk bookings;
Now here or somewhere?
Chinatown hotspot
People congregate;
Worship by shopping
Ancestral shrine
We commune here;
Our forebears await
Clogged intersections
Crossroad commentary;
Noisy traffic jam
Leon Enriquez
31 July 2014
Singapore
Olvera Street
It's where we're spending Mother’s Day
Children run around La Calle, and play
La placita de Olvera Street
Family's coming, it’s where we’ll meet
We’ll do some shopping with the merchants there
Spend time at the Candela Shop Square
Spiced and decorated, colorful and unusual candles
Buy a pair of huaraches, traditional Mexican sandals
Time for a new peasant blouse and a shirt that says Chicana
We’ll lunch at the famous taquitos place and listen to some Mana
Olvera Street is in the oldest part of Downtown Los Angeles, California, USA
El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historic Monument. Historically, it abutted the original Chinatown, which was later removed to its modern location to make way for Union Station. There are 27 buildings of various ages still standing.
Los Angeles was founded in 1781 by Spanish pobladores, on a site southeast of today's Olvera Street near the Los Angeles River. They consisted of 11 families and were accompanied by a few Spanish soldiers. The new town was named El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora Reina de los Ángeles.
See the Chinatown roads:
Prosperous golden goats,
Rich festive decor loads,
In sky arches like boats,
Note how spring animates,
Gather this ample sea.
Feast on the ultimate,
Explore spring charms with me;
Sea of human faces,
Thrill of ceremony;
Ideas of spring graces,
Voice and fireworks set free;
Auspicious customs prompt,
Lunar New Year informs.
Leon Enriquez
31 January 2015
Singapore
Chilly breeze
Punctuates our stroll;
Morning conversations
~~~~~~~~~
Hand in hand
Here we go;
Chinatown bazaars
~~~~~~~~~
Flavours and mix
Savoury delicacies;
Soft ice cream trip
~~~~~~~~~
Haiku moments
Bamboo trees arch;
Aqua moon floats
~~~~~~~~~
Sad notes
Lover's letter;
August goodbye
~~~~~~~~~
No need to fuss
No more worries;
Dead and gone
~~~~~~~~~
Write words
Cite speech;
Words on water
~~~~~~~~~
Listen well
The wind tells;
A coldness swells
~~~~~~~~~
Morning news
More people dead;
China saga
~~~~~~~~~
Dementia slays
Loss of great voice;
No more concerts
~~~~~~~~~
Sit calmly now
Here on the verge;
Wait upon words
~~~~~~~~~
Leon Enriquez
21 August 2015
Singapore