Lands she ’ ll never touch but holds to heart .
“ When I was young like you , I lost it all – My parents drowning in a raging flood . How wrong it seemed that fishermen should fall Into their Mother Sea , entombed in mud . Too soft to sail alone , I heavily Relied on strangers ’ kindness to survive . But soon they looked away , and readily I found a vendor who agreed to drive A desperate boy with nothing to his name . Lost in the city market I despaired ; Sat hunched , glared down at my soft hands in shame . For I , though wide with hope , had not prepared To live without the comfort of the waves . Sudden , a man crouched down regarding me : ‘ What fate befalls that shrouds your eyes in caves ?’ I told him how I feared I ’ d never see Again the sampans docked at shore , aflame Under the rising Sun of tranquil dawns . He seemed to understand . ‘ So here you came … I say , I do respect a lad with brawns ; Let ’ s have a chat over some crusty bread . For I ’ m a tradesman in lack of a son , Inviting you to follow in my stead – Our journey far to chase the setting Sun .’
He gave me all I have in seven years ; On camelback we scoured uncharted lands . I pushed myself to go confront my fears , And with each step surged further on the sands . We triumphed snow-capped mountains , rolling streams , A sea of clouds ; I once stood on Earth ’ s ledge ! Shook hands with cultures , traded friendly beams , To know all human variants I pledged .
My eyes were wide to capture all this life , ‘ Til trade was swift , and hands and feet were sore . A foreign state was where I met my wife ; That man gave me a chance , but so much more . A merchant ’ s kindness I will not forget , Our years of struggle I will not regret .” iii . the quandary
The merchant ’ s words made echoes in her mind , For searching souls entrapped do tortured feel . To all the merchant ’ s recounts she was blind , And all his glory tales seemed so unreal . And while she kept to heart this rare secret , The truth unknown would not disrupt routine . Their sight was clear , within their limits set : In comfort , but with worlds beyond unseen .
She pulled at stubborn turnips in the ground , White flesh like pearl : enchanting , how they grew ! If only she could find something profound , Profound with meaning – bring back something new . What if she could ? What if it were her fate ?