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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
Copyright ©
Leon Enriquez
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