Cavern of Culture [liz]
I’ve never seen the Grand Canyon
But I live in a cavern of culture that divides East from West
The ground moves and beauty is upside down
I am surrounded by the beasts of misunderstanding
As each hour passes, my questions increase—why
Why spit, push, call me fat, lack compassion for the dying?
It may not be wrong
But I feel wronged
And so the canyon gets bigger
Like two lovers who forgot to share their hearts
Every word, gesture, and silence separates
I from one land, and you that other land
How do I make my peace?
I will never be you, nor you be me
But I want to see what makes our difference lovely
.fav.
ReplyDelete"Like two lovers who forgot to share their hearts."
the proper love for xenos is sometimes very hard - same for them I suppose as well.
I agree with Justin.
ReplyDeleteEast and West, their differences and what they have to offer each other, intrigue me. Good thoughts on the struggle to understand and make peace.
"How do I make my peace?"
ReplyDeleteSimple, but lovely.
"Like two lovers who forgot to share their hearts
ReplyDeleteEvery word, gesture, and silence separates"
love those lines.
I like it. Your poetry is always poignant and potent.
ReplyDelete"Like two lovers who forgot to share their hearts"
and
"I will never be you, nor you be me
But I want to see what makes our difference lovely"
i enjoyed reading your poem
ReplyDeletemy favorite line.
I’ve never seen the Grand Canyon
But I live in a cavern of culture that divides East from West
The ground moves and beauty is upside down
I really liked this one. The last line was my favorite
ReplyDeletewow. so great. i love it because it so well expresses the mixed emotions of living in China.
ReplyDelete