Cradle of Talents and Ambitions

Cradle of Talents and Ambitions

Like a rat in a rice jar

I dwelt among pomegranate and plum blossoms

where nights were shiny and moony

the days melted clouds steeped in tea fragrance

Boldly I crept over the tiger’s tomb

wrapped in embroidered silk
patterns repeating bat and crane
bat and crane
feasting on jasmine, lychee, rose

In the garden home I caressed

dragons of jade cool to the touch
harbored in the dark recesses
of inner rooms, inner courts
listening to the high, yearning pitch of a woman
and the pluck of her fingers on instrument string

Now the stars have all fallen

there is no comfort here
only regrets, remembrances
and I am left
a hungry ghost

- Peggy