Member Poem

On the Penang Island, they collect divine charms
that the locals see not.

While canoeing in Zambia, they fathom the depth
of harmony in the river where the elephants and
the hippos drink.

They find paradoxical truths on a pyramid, artificial
permanence and natural transience.

Even a tiny creature can create a great wonder, the
Waitomo Glow-worm Cave shows them.

“Liberty becomes a statue in several places.” He
whispers in her ear in New York Harbor.

Black paintings of Francisco de Goya remind them
of some murky native nooks.

Through the wrinkled disgust, they stare at the fried
snakes on sticks in the Chinese street.

His urge for gallivanting boils. She begins to knead
flour of next safari. They earn for each journey,
selling tea, coffee, banana fritter…They save only in
experience. Nothing will remain for their children to
inherit and to be lazy. Being on the move, this grizzled
couple teaches us how to be in the heart of life.

Now the Northern Lights light their passion up. Like
the milkweed fluff, they fly in the air, carrying the
philosophical seeds.

First published in The Literary Hatchet