what inspired this poem <br />is mary poppins, the caring <br />British governor who carries <br />under her little pink umbrella <br />her warmth and the creme <br />de la creme of life lessons <br />and flies children into <br />home sweet home <br /> <br />every umbrella it has <br />become a metaphor to <br />carry off that great task <br />to make children laugh <br />warm and hearty as the <br />summer sky <br /> <br />japanese and chinese <br />traditional lacquered umbrellas <br />do that job come rain or shine <br />they always carry the herons, <br />phoenix, a beauteous ancient fairy <br />in her flowing grace, or bamboos, <br />or the moon or any other folksy <br />auspicious drawings to drive <br />away tears or fears <br /> <br />even the emperor needs <br />umbrella for graces from the heavens <br />it was of first quality silk <br />yellow, and always with lithe <br />and steel scaled dragons <br />to shield him from misfortune <br />of any kind <br /> <br />the modern day umbrellas <br />they are collapsible, of plastic, <br />rayon, and usually plain <br />black, green, blue, purple <br />every colour given its <br />opportunity to shine <br /> <br />their job is carry away the sky <br />when it is not friendly, letting her <br />sun all out in the open <br /> <br />or giving her clouds so much <br />freedom they let out cats and dogs <br />leaping and gambolling into our gardens <br /> <br />the best umbrellas are <br />those large enough to <br />keep two star crossed lovers <br />away from the sights of gossipers <br />letting them kiss and only their <br />legs and clothes to keep us <br />guessing who they are <br /> <br />the umbrella too can be <br />that life saver, keeping away <br />the muggers, or that fierce dog <br />as old granny does her morning <br />round to tone up her days<br /><br />john tiong chunghoo<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/ode-to-the-umbrella/
