Bowing

a tree leans
bowing to summer
sun at dusk

 

– – –

Photo: YuYuan Garden, Shanghai, China, c.b.w. 2005
Words: haiku, c.b.w. 2015

Open Passage

In the rubble
a covered path
Lost to shadows
living as ghosts

An open passage
hopes for a time
Light chases dark,
and starts a fire

Around the curve
such spirit waits
On hidden wings
anxious to fly

 

– – –

Photo: Doorway at YuYuan Gardens, Shanghai, China, 2005
Words: c.b.w. 2015

Advertisement

Adversary

Forever bitter,
pride’s namesake river
War’s interpreter,
maladies linger

Behind grace’s killer,
shades of night shiver
Battlefield murder,
the serpent’s finger

Architecture detail, YuYuan Gardens, Shanghai, China
Photograph (2005) and words (2013) by: c.b.w.

– – –

c.b.w. 2013

A to Z Abroad: Nanjing Road

Lighting up one corridor of Shanghai is Nanjing Road. Largely a pedestrian street, it is filled with retail shops, restaurants, theaters, and, kiosks. When the sun sets, throngs of people show up to take a walk down one of the most lively streets in the city.

Nanjing Road, Shanghai
Photo by: c.b.w. 2005

Nanjing Road has roots all the way back to 1845, but it wasn’t until the 20th century that it became a focal point of the retail industry. Starting with department stores and hotels, the thoroughfare grew rapidly as a popular place for both business and social events.

At night, Nanjing is incredibly crowded. There was always someone within two inches of me at any given moment, but strangely it didn’t bother me. The sights and sounds are so distracting, my Western need for personal space went largely ignored. I watched kiosk attendants make rice and fry unidentified objects, while stores selling everything from silk to shoes begged to be entered. And the lights seemed to stimulate every part of my brain.

I’m not usually mesmerized by city lights, but the color and design of the neon lights on Nanjing Road were quite the spectacle.

Nanjing Road, Shanghai
Photo by: c.b.w. 2005

My favorite light show came courtesy of a theater (I think). The lotus flower changed color along with the background several times. It was really beautiful!

Lotus Light on Nanjing Road
c.b.w. 2005

– – –

On a sad note, my thoughts are with those who are in so much pain in Boston. A tragedy such as this makes no sense and no one should ever have to suffer this kind of horror.

– – –

Part of the A to Z Challenge!

– – –

c.b.w. 2013

There Be Dragons

Tempted dragon
broken fire
Forever chosen
marked fantasy
Space between
below and never
Spirit keeper
treasured beast

Dragon Carving in Yuyuan Garden, Shanghai, China
Photo by: c.b.w. 2005

– – –

Special Note: This poem started as a poetical inspired by sci-fi and fantasy book titles. I ended up playing with it a little more by adding a few new words until I realized how well it went with this photograph. My muse is once again jumping from mode of creativity to another!

– – –

c.b.w. 2012