7th Month

This is the tail end of the Chinese 7th Month. The 7th Month is also known as the Ghost Month in the Chinese calendar when ghosts and spirits are supposed to be released from the lower realm and allowed to roam this mortal world. Activities during the month would include ritually offering food, and burning of paper offerings like "hell money" to appease these spirits. In the past, Chinese operas or puppet shows are organised to entertain these spirits, but nowadays getai, literally "song stage" has taken over. At these getais, artistes sing, dance, or tell bawdy jokes, usually in gaudy, colourful costumes. These shows can attract large crowds.

I have posted this poem before, but I thought it would be interesting to retell this little bit of our culture.





image by dsnake1
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7th Month


i.

    are there ghosts
    that scramble
    for paper gold
    eat their fill
    of fruits & meat
    that line the
    pathways the drains
    the aprons of concrete?

ii.

    it is not so much
    we feared them

iii.

    do we not share the
    same corridors
    the roads,
    the playgrounds?
    it is that we pray
    please do no harm to us.

iv.

    and so take
    the gold and money
    and fruits and meat

v.

    and gather round
    smouldering joss sticks
    the fires of wax candles
    and burning offerings
    the flames flickering
    on bare ground
    in cauldrons

vi.

    as
    the night wind stirs
    the fluttering ashes
    that are your regrets &
    unfulfilled dreams

vii.

    and your tedium
    of wandering

    the centuries




19.08.2007
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Shared on Poetry Pantry #165 at Poets United.

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© cheong lee san ( dsnake1 ) 2013