You and me we could take a slow boat to China
don't need an ocean liner it's only a stone's throw
where nothing would be finer
than to see all the tea in Shanghai flow
and share a Chinese takeaway in a hideaway
so if I know you that's where we'll go
and we'll run in the rain or sit soaking up the sun
there's only one thing when all is said and done
I'm the kind of feller who shares his umbrella
no strings attached let's see if we're matched
and if we're matched we'll have us some fun
it's no big to-do I only want fun with you
fun in the sun or under the moon
take it on the run whichever way it comes
or me and you too could sail slowly down the Nile
smiling all the while like a pair of crocodiles
and when we reach Cairo wave and say, "Hello,"
to the sphinx and the old Pharaoh
we'll keep it casual no 'putting on the Ritz'
come be with me then we'll see
if the shoe fits and if the shoe fits
when all is said and done yes it's true
I have to say every night and day
I only want fun with you
I had to lo-Ok,
saw, I kn-Ow her,
We're fr-Om Shanghai.
Lady beh-Ind
said out s-Ide Where'd,
you f-Ind it! Well?d.
When we avrr-Ived
I'm surpr-Ised, that's
her, sm-Iling there.
Story she h-Ad
was a b-Ag like
purse A-nd not hers
Gave same addres-S
like the la-St cab
ride S-aid. Same spot.
IV)Next I had s-Ort
self-ctr-Olled and
my O-h fresh bills
I dropped her O-ff
someplace d-Owntown
I kn-Ow about
Then she tell m-E
somebo-Dy took
her P-ink wallet.
A rare good sou-L
at Mote-L Six
who smel-Led different
There was a carpenter in Shanghai
Who hanging from a roof beam so high
When he grabbed a nail,
He let out a yell
Everyone thought he would surely die.
A Shanghai building
Reflecting on the water
Soothing strings music
I am
in the middle
of meditation
in lotus position
I am
the reason
for you to leave me
Solitude
the big opera of God
a poets reward
You are
the unspoken complicated words
dancing far away
only dust and smoke
(Evolution pollution)
is on the way
and remembers
Big destiny waves
no one here
to see now
what I feel
I am a
Shanghai monk
in orange pajamas
standing in the air
Congealed upon the banks of this
tamed dragon sprawl stacks of crude buildings.
Concrete covers all but two glassy kings,
thick smoggy gusts give them a grimy kiss.
Insipid pillars choke sunlight, endless
roads incise the very earth, wings
of apartments cram into ev’rything,
ev’rywhere stacks upon stacks of units.
Herein lies the future, our dystopia
has arrived through the hazy looking glass.
Perhaps a reminder, utopia
is not coming, or maybe the hourglass
has but some time left. Then the route is clear.
We must turn everything around. And fast.
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.
Sub Categories
Looking for the formal definition, structure, and history of this poetry form? Visit the Poetry Dictionary entry below. Then return to explore how PoetrySoup members bring the form to life through their own poems.