Interlude - "Yu Gardens in Shanghai"

They tell me
the Chinese don't show everything
at once.
This would be obscene.
The Chinese,
masters
of luring curiosity...
showing the head of the dragon,
but not the tail.

Here the four elements
of a Chinese Garden
surround you
carry you
envelop you
in one small alcove
at a time.
Greenery, rocks,
architecture, and water
flowing in a ying yang harmony,
balancing space and time.

I slow down here,
move my feet carefully,
grace my Western self
through this balanced space.
I keep my voice
close inside
like a whisper,
not wanting to startle
this space
where even the limestone rocks
seem to breathe.

There is one
tiger lily plant
amidst this canvas.
A small fire
between earth and sky.

Two mandarin ducks
mated for life
move among the goldfish.

The lattice work sculptures
offer small visions into the next tableau
of green plants, gray rocks, and flowing water.
They are said to
lick the scenery
beyond this space.

The portals
offer larger visions
into the next alcove.
They are said to
frame the scenery
beyond this space.

One sculpture
invites me
to massage my eyes,
my imagining.
An inkblot test
fashioned in limestone
instead of ink.
There is a woman
hidden within this rock,
and she is turning away from me,
yet still offering her hand,
luring me back into Yu Gardens.

There is no hurry here, ever,
and I take her hand and seek
one more tiger lily,
one more fire for my eyes...

- Marianne Forman