Chestnuts in Kowloon
I have been to the Fragrant Harbor
far away,
where the people sounded like rain
upon the cobblestones,
and their laughter I called my own,
for once, for a little while
I was there
with you as we walked
past market stalls with the cackle
of hagglers
and scents of sesame and jasmine
filled the air,
we climbed tall buildings
and the peak of a mountain,
I was there
with you as we crossed the harbor
along with salt and seaweed,
by noon we reached Kowloon
famished,
and we shared a paper bag
filled with roasted chestnuts:
there by the lotus pond,
the moist white warmth and our dreams
fed our nameless hunger —
now the Fragrant Harbor awaits
far away,
but I am no longer there,
save the shriveled husks of chestnuts
we threw away so long ago
that for once, for a little while
burned among the coals.
by D. G. V. © 2012
lilies, sparrows and grass 
Wow……..and you just took me there as well……….. *sigh* Absolutely beautiful with such a deep sense of purpose and peace ~ love and life. Thank you, Dee. ~ Love always, Bobbie
Thank you, Bobbie. The beauty of memories is that we can always revisit, the door is always open, and we can stay as long as we want. with lots of love, Dee
Yes, we can……..and I love that……..and you for knowing. ~ B
And you, too, Bobbie. 😉 D
Beautiful! I love your poetry.
Dear Terrie, thank you so much for your gracious words. I love your poetry as well! Love, Dee
Outstanding – outstanding, Dee. Really – so many layers to this one – simple language yet you are able to pull of a sense of time and timelessness – the casting away image – perfect but the redeeming of memory that allows for a sadness – really, outstanding.
Thank you so much for your thoughts and perspective on this piece, Sandra. It means a lot to me to discover how the verses spoke and and interacted with the reader. Yes, the image of casting away the chestnut husks suddenly came to me towards the end as I was writing this poem. Thanks again, and all my best, Dee
This is truly a romantic poem in every sense of the word. Many thanks!
Thank you so very much, Shelley! I am thrilled you found this poem to be so! All my best, Dee
That is very romantic. Memories evoke the feeling of hands once held tightly, but now fingertips barely missing as they grasp for each other again…a lovely poem, Dee
Lester
Thank you, Lester for the thoughtful interpretation of the poem and your gracious words. As always, Dee
Simply beautiful….
Thank you, I appreciate your comments and I am delighted you stopped by.
Overflowing imagery. Lovely!
Thank you Susan! Blessings to you!
lovely and mysterious. i love the way you punctuate not only the sound but the emotion with that wonderful word “you.” beautiful!
Oh Thank you, Lorna! I was wondering how the word “you” would come out, and as I spoke the words in my mind, it did seem like it was indeed punctuated! I am glad it was the case with you as well. Thanks again! Dee
Wow! I wish I can write such a beautiful poem for the place where I have spend so much of my life!
Thank you so very much. Hong Kong holds a special place in my heart.
Hi liliessparrows, like you, HK will always have a special place in my heart. Thank you! Michael
Thank you, Michael. All my best, Dee
How beautiful. I would love to visit Kowloon. I developed a great fascination for the old Walled City, and one day I want to visit the park where it used to stand.
It’s very interesting that you developed a great fascination for the old Walled City. Hong Kong is captivating, so vibrant and alive. Thank you so much for liking this post and for your kind comments.