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Hong Kong 1938

Posted by Ewan on December 10, 2008 - 10:16
from the ABC set

Paper Tiger, Paper Moon,
the Year of the Pig is gone too soon.
The hell money burns
to bring good joss;
boys at the godown
play pitch and toss.
Smell the Diesel, smell the piss
Kowloon City was never like this.
The doctor paints on
plant fiber paper
lights more incense
with a tallowfat taper.
Light the lantern, light the fuse;
bold firecrackers for the New Year's news.
Baby in the gutter,
food for the rats,
sewer on the surface,
lucky black cats.
Gweilos shouting, gweilos drunk,
two-dollar kai-tai swallows their spunk.
Down on the dock side
another one dies
cold alley hides her
from the oval eyes.

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Comments

Bradene | December 10, 2008 - 11:01

Congratulations on the win Ewan I thought this was great when I read it first time and I haven't changed my mind. It is so real. Val

chuck | December 10, 2008 - 13:18

Me too. It's amazing how you evoke a time and place. I could hear the firecrackers and smell the smoke.

Silver Spun Sand | December 10, 2008 - 16:58

I can only echo what has been said. Brilliant writing in every sense of the word.

Tina

ralph | December 10, 2008 - 20:56

The best poem I have read on here for ages. Richly deserved.

Ralph

Dynamaso | December 10, 2008 - 22:51

Congratulations on your win. This is a brilliant piece. It kind of reminds me of growing up in Penang, Malaysia and the local Chinese festivals I remember from then.

Ewan | December 11, 2008 - 09:08

Thanks, all of you. I can safely say I cannot remember the last time I was so proud of an achievement.

jennifer | December 11, 2008 - 10:38

Very many congratulations, Ewan, I could not have lost to a worthier opponent! Superb writing!

Jen xx