A student’s poor, yet earnest, attempt at a Poem in the Epic style follows hereafter. The content by a week’s travels through China, the style by the first book of Paradise Lost – past which the author has unfortunately yet to read – inspired. Of the attempted use of the Epic style, the reader may note that as in classical epics, the story is in media res begun, with earlier events eventually over food related. The lack of rhyme in the Poem, as in Paradise lost, is no fault, rhyme, by Milton’s estimation, being naught but the ‘Invention of a barbarous Age’ and adding no true value. This attempt at a Poem to the Lady Yi-Hsin, fair beyond compare, is with remembrance of past helps proffered. Adventures and delicious food, rest assured, are to be found within. The beautiful park of Hupao, Dreaming of the Tiger Spring, through the mist of time (on the order of days) past arises before our eyes.
Hupao, beautiful gem of nature set in Hangzhou! Long praised by multitudes, longer as a sanctuary known. In the 14th year of the Yuanhe reign in the Tang Dynasty legendary Xingkong, the monk, journeyed to Hupao. No spring ran there, how could any man settle? Then came to him in a dream, and Immortal, bringing news of hope. A nearby spring would be moved, and two tigers sent to dig it out. Lo! in the morning two tigers digging raised the water. The spring gushing forth, Xingkong was content and settled in lush woods.
Renowned monks, emperors, poets parade through as ages march past, pausing to be at peace, ever after joining the choir singing Hupao's praises. Over one thousand years since the spring is dug, and still souls come to find peace.
From long travels in great cities a traveler arrives, finding peace in the midst of the woods, peace so thick she might touch it, so welcome she might embrace it.
Her body nourished with juicy baozi, gift of a grandmother.
Her soul nourished by nature. Blue sky, sun, and clouds.
Springs murmur, birds sing. Into the music of nature slides music, soft and unobtrusive. Perhaps it is a violin. It sings a Song As Old As Time. The paths slope gently upward.
Halls and Dagobas display the history of Hupao, telling stories of artists and teachers, people whose being has, 'glorified the world.'
Along a side path, hidden horses, covered not in grime but in green life.
Bi Xi, Ba Xia, Gui Fu. By whichever name they go, these sons of dragons bring luck and longevity.
Refreshed, the traveler departs. The road winds, the bush lurches, stomachs churn. The beautiful peace, though, will not so easily be shaken. The multitudinous choir singing the glories of Hupao to the ages sings on, one voice greater.
Shanghai! Forest of soaring buildings, of stone, glass, and pearls! City also of pushy subways, pleading beggars, and transient waves of pollution. The traveler a peaceful, successful night spends with an old friend. Magnum ice cream for breakfast, clear skies, and a destination not for tourists, but for youth in the morning a Fine day make.
The friends travel outwards, from the city but not the beauty distancing themselves.
Building expressing purpose. Within the Museum of Science and Technology, escalators' innards shielded by glass alone!
Children play, learn, create, compete.
The friends through exhibits wander and at 4D movies wonder. Seats blasted back by cannon fire, pirates spitting, a sea breeze! Children in the audience squeal and giggle. The two largest for a photo pose.
Time at the museum flies, save for time spent in the Texatron Balancer, which spins! Either way, it too quickly passes. The traveler of her friend takes leave, a meal of street food consumes, a train enters.
Roaming about the train, she observes the 'hard seats,' often not seats at all, rather permission to wedge and jam in with hundreds of others into a car. Towards the rear of the train she ventures through increasingly thick crowds; walking through aisles, wading through people , finally halted at the 15th car by the sheer density of people. Back to car 3 she journeys, to the 3rd tier bunk climbs, and in relative luxury falls into a deep sleep.
