Taichung Park

opened floodgates wash not with force enough
to straighten the roads and flush out Taichung City
only north along the Han do invalids stay indoors
immigrant laborers push no wheelchairs
hookers don't hook and queers don't look
as ghostly newlyweds obligatorily cross the pond's bridge
to snapping shutters obsolete since digital cameras
in the gazebo pagoda surrounded by high water fountains
amid empty cages and bird soaked trees of Taichung Park
all things outrageous are attributed to you
the crippled mayor who moved real estate westward
hears none of the squeaky AM radio voices you play
he's far from the crowded park
that the Japanese made for the natives
downtown Taichung left dingy for entrepreneurs
folk that respect the past's prosperity
and beauty of the colonial gem of central Taiwan
the gentle folksongs dancing and tai c'hi
the food carts and art crafts of aboriginal splendor
regeneration of Taiwan's inner girations
out of the shell and old world renews
embracing variations not corporations
or capitulations to reunifications
sweet as the jelly grass under the lotus flowers
magical Taichung Park that the politicians discarded
we'll gather around your sweet water willowed creeks
remove the cheesy facades for a new merchant chic
reveal the old and make it vital
reclaimed, recreated, and recreational recital

9-27-13