Three Criminals , A Horse and A Wise Old Man
West Island School , Sloyan , Jennifer - 15
I
Three criminals , a horse , and a wise old man embark on a journey to the west .
II
Embedded into palace walls , the jade crane arches silver wings and scents the wooden peonies . A dragon , far above , clutches pearl in its jaws--has there ever been such wealth ? The Empire , eternal .
A gold-encrusted room , in a gold-encrusted city ; the gold-encrusted emperor bids the monk farewell .
The monk feet calloused eyes weary with sight leaves barefoot and thinks of the future .
III
A pig , bloated with sacred wine courts the moon and falls with her . He does not rise , the second night .
IV
Have you heard , have you heard-- the Queen Mother ’ s goblet ! Smashed , broken , absolutely destroyed--
Shards of crystal goblet scatter chaos at the banquet ; alone amidst the anarchy , the general reflects .
The Mother , always knowing best , drives him from the palace . He will stew , in rage and sand . Nothing can be done .