Dragon Gate

Gold cherry
Poem of the week

By marandina

Mon, 17 Jul 2023
  • 3285 reads
26 comments
 

Dragon Gate

They came during the spring

near banks of oriental ochre,

an amalgam of golden scales,

amassed; mighty Yellow River.

A brazen sun called to them,

            turn back

       it bellowed in haste

but torrents swallowed sound

as clouds whispered intrigue.

They fought a devilish current

goading travails downstream,

some relented, swam away

leaving a valiant intrepid few.

Gods heard quiet murmuring

of nature’s elemental totems

and saw a waterfall looming,

journey’s end, brave koi carp.

        This is not your lot,

               they said

casting arcane, divine spells,

liminal climb now higher still,

sanctity sated by piscine trials.

Over a hundred years passed

as fish turned around and left

until a last surviving traveller

finally made it to the summit.

Applause in Heaven rained

like snow from constellations,

such resolution rewarded by

a transformed golden dragon

 

immortalised

   forever

        at

           Dragon Gate.

 

*Poem based on an ancient folklore tale from China of a koi fish that makes it to the top of a waterfall and is rewarded by the Gods and made into a Golden Dragon. The waterfall became known as Dragon Gate.

 

Image free to use at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_dragon#/media/File:Chinese_dragon_...

Certificate U
Poem
Miscellaneous Poems
Spiritual

Comments

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

What a fascinating tale that I had no idea of Paul, perceptively detailed, and the poem is woven perfectly.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by marandina on

As ever, thanks for reading it Jenny. Your thoughts are always welcome. Paul x

 

Submitted by Insertponceyfre... on

Great interpretation of a wonderful sounding folktale - thank you!

I hope you've seen the reading event announcement?

 

Submitted by marandina on

Thanks for reading it, insert. And the feedback much appreciated. Yes, I have just sent Rachel a note to say I can read if people still want to listen to my stuff. Looking forward to the event. Paul :) 

 

Submitted by celticman on

a fish could  become a dragon--could happen. You made it happen. 

 

Submitted by marandina on

Thanks for reading it, CM. [Are you bringing the cans of Tennants on the 12th? Villa playing at 5.30pm so see you at the Reading Event.]

 

Submitted by marandina on

Thanks for the cherries, ABC Eds. Much appreciated. Paul 

 

Submitted by celticman on

c'mon the villa. 

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

A fish that captures the imagination with its beauty, and a tale of to encourage long perseverance, and a hope that there is some sort of supernatural, though viewed generally as presumed rather capricious.

I hadn't heard the tale, but looked it up. Rhiannon

 

Submitted by marandina on

Thanks for reading it, Rhiannon. Yes, exactly that - a tale of perseverance to inspire :) 

 

Submitted by Mark Burrow on

Enjoyable read. Thanks for posting.

 

Submitted by marandina on

Thanks for reading it, Mark. Glad you liked it. 

 

Submitted by Ewan on

 Congratulations, this is our Pick of the Day, today.

Please share/retweet/threadify/whatever it is you do in the way of social media, dear ABC-ers.

Well done, Paul.

Author Page at the 'Zon
 

Submitted by marandina on

Oh thank you, so much Ewan. Made up with the pick! Paul

 

Submitted by Insertponceyfre... on

Congratulations!

 

Submitted by marandina on

Thank you :) 

 

Submitted by Di_Hard on

That made me think of carp in a different way - am used to seeing them huge and slow in small ponds, politely not bumping into each other or unsuccessfully trying to hide from the hideousness of humans. Had no idea they were dreaming of becoming golden dragons!

 

Submitted by marandina on

Thanks for reading, Di. You will never look at koi carp in the same way again :) 

 

Submitted by Turlough on

I love writing based on folklore and I love the way you've written this.

However, I ate some carp in a restaurant in Romania a few days ago and I feel really bad about it now.

Turlough

Submitted by marandina on

Thanks for reading, Turlough. Don't feel bad, they can't all make it :) 

 

Submitted by airyfairy on

This is our wonderful Poem of the Week. Congratulations!

Submitted by marandina on

Oh that's wonderful. Thank you! Paul :) 

 

Submitted by Kris on

thats some cool sh** <Marandina>.... I sincerely mean that, really cool, mastery, smooth, captivating, gripping, a breath & vision, with triumph & reward = I smiled & read it 3x...... You know I'm a fan of your works.... but this 1 needs to be printed out and hung on your wall fame........

Dam... thats some cool sh** (gotta say it again)*, gotta read again = (4)

Cheers !

 

Submitted by marandina on

Thanks for reading it, Kris. Glad you liked it :) 

 

Submitted by Richard L. Prov... on

A very good poem blending together a pot-pourri of creativity. Well done!

Richard L. Provencher

Submitted by marandina on

Thanks for reading,, Richard. Hoping you are well. Paul