For many years I traveled often to Asia,
and tried always to learn and participate
in the cultures. But this I wouldn't do.
A distance of thousands of years
Bridged by beliefs that never change.
Near skyscrapers are uncountable warrens
Of markets and stalls and street vendors,
Each neighborhood a bit of the old China.
None more so, perhaps, than Snake Alley:
Stall after stall of snakes in bamboo cages,
Curled in earthen pots, writhing in crates
Stacked high as the scarred men who offer
An ancient cure to the old men who come,
Seeking hard medicine for their soft decline.
A snake is chosen and held by twitching tail
Above a cup as its head is severed . . .
A writhing dying as its cold blood falls.
An old man drinks, believing his will rise.
Poetry by countryfog
Read 419 times
Written on 2011-01-01 at 17:20
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and tried always to learn and participate
in the cultures. But this I wouldn't do.
Sacrament In Snake Alley
Taipei is at once both old and new,A distance of thousands of years
Bridged by beliefs that never change.
Near skyscrapers are uncountable warrens
Of markets and stalls and street vendors,
Each neighborhood a bit of the old China.
None more so, perhaps, than Snake Alley:
Stall after stall of snakes in bamboo cages,
Curled in earthen pots, writhing in crates
Stacked high as the scarred men who offer
An ancient cure to the old men who come,
Seeking hard medicine for their soft decline.
A snake is chosen and held by twitching tail
Above a cup as its head is severed . . .
A writhing dying as its cold blood falls.
An old man drinks, believing his will rise.
Poetry by countryfog
Read 419 times
Written on 2011-01-01 at 17:20
Save as a bookmark (requires login) Write a comment (requires login) Send as email (requires login) Print text
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