It has long been forgotten when,

and taken for granted

that one morning, a golden surplus

was delivered to Suzhou.



Rolling in nuggets wildly down lanes,

it sunk into gardens,

and was eventually absorbed

as a heightened general glow.



That's why now each spring,

colorfully clothed villagers

set up tables close together,

on every turn, in front of their houses,



piled high

with identical overflowing baskets.

confident

in the unlimited appeal.



Now the conversations

on the touring boats get louder.

They've moved the tables

into the inside decks during the night.



Leisurely peeling,

we float together off the Suzhou coast

luscious, sweet, exposing

our dark, gem-like seeds.

12/24/2009

Author's Note: Published, Astarte Journal, an eZine, whuch foucuses on modern legends.12/09

Posted on 12/24/2009
Copyright © 2024 Kathleen Wilson