Home stay
Qingdao. March 2014 recording my visit to a Chinese family
With welcoming smiles
And warmth of hosting eyes, we embark
Discovering, with Rising Sun,
Shared interests, loves and pleasures.
In dry and stony hills we touch
Leaves coarse and tough against biting winter
Awaiting births of tender shoots
Of future tea.
With wreaths of steam
and smiles,
Delicate cups laid out, warmed,
Pots bathed and brushed
We sip the delicate balm and feel ashamed
Of squalid bags in British mugs.
Gifts unwrap in smiles as
Cultures touch and share in
Dumpling wrapping laughter.
'Beautiful!' Approves our pinches of the dough,
Eyes conducting warmth and joy.
With food and wine smiles broaden
In cultural communion.
The strains of Chinese harp twist and blend
With grace of hand and wrist
Evoking wind and wave
And are replied by verse and song.
Deft strokes of brush
Describe dynamic shapes of meaning
But fail to halt the strokes of time.
We journey back in thoughtfulness
Of new found friends,
Spirits touched,
And hugs,
... And smiles.
Qingdao. March 2014 recording my visit to a Chinese family
