the old well is <br />an old woman, <br />dispirited, hunched, <br />aggrieved <br /> <br />a dark realm <br />reigns over here <br />ever ready to throw <br />its vengeance <br />on unsuspectful <br />strangers <br /> <br />only the heaven has <br />the generosity <br />to give it grace <br />- the rain fills it up <br />and when the weather is fine <br />the sky plays with it <br />a gentle childful <br />game of master sun, <br />queen moon <br />and angel stars <br /> <br />nobody ever <br />greets the old well <br />a good morning <br />afternoon or <br />evening <br /> <br />all they do <br />is ungratefully <br />bend over and <br />in a callous manner <br />start robbing it of its <br />luminuous peace <br />and tranquility <br />- an unkind bucket <br />that goes splash <br />before riding the <br />blessed sanctum <br />for its vitality yesterday, today, <br />tomorrow, everyday - <br />always in such a hurry <br />the water slushes, <br />sloshes, splashses <br />to play out its grouses <br /> <br />the old well <br />is an aggrieved woman <br />overused and <br />worn out with hatred <br />a restless soul <br />filled to the brim <br />with vengeance <br />and chagrin <br /> <br />to pass by one at night <br />one would be lucky <br />if one's heart does not <br />stumble and race <br />faster than one's feet <br />for the well's ominuous mouth <br />with all its sober <br />and solemnness <br />will draw your spirit in <br />with its damp, dark <br />and cold tales <br />and selfishly hold it there <br />with the tenuous <br />grip of a viper for <br />a thousand years<br /><br />john tiong chunghoo<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/1-old-well/
