I was here in the early 80's when it was a different city from what it is now. However, the Peace Hotel still stands on the now glittering Bund


Shanghai

Shanghai your grit and smoke sours the mouth
From soft coal fires that hide the sun
Your Orange skies at noon that burn the eye
The night Bund dark near the Peace Hotel



Poetry by josephus The PoetBay support member heart!
Read 645 times
Written on 2015-06-27 at 14:54

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Jamsbo Rockda The PoetBay support member heart!
Yes, this tells us a lot about modern Shanghai even though it is a short piece. It also shows us that you miss the past. Very nice :)
2015-06-28


Elle The PoetBay support member heart!
Things have changed and there is comfort to see that somethings despite everything, hang in there - I went to Shanghai in the 80's too but haven't been back since and I am sure I would find it greatly changed - you have re-kindled my travel lust - I could picture this completely

Elle x
2015-06-27


one trick pony The PoetBay support member heart!
fantastic! you have reduced the most populated city in the world, and probably the most intricately put together, into four perfect lines.

i do hear carl sandburg, and i hear t. s. eliot in the first line ("The yellow fog that rubs its back upon the window-panes")

somehow you've made this a very personal poem, i imagine it is an intimacy that comes from experience.
2015-06-27


countryfog
My best Asian friend lives now in Shanghai (after Taipei and Hong Kong where I first met him). I've wondered what it's like. You've described the price of progress, and it's steep.
2015-06-27


Lawrence Beck The PoetBay support member heart!
I like this, Joe. It reminded me of Carl Sandburg (CliffsNotes version)
2015-06-27