Poetry / December 2013 (Issue 22)


Yuan Dadu Ruins Park, c. 1269-Present

by Matthew Turner

Horseman Qian's abecedary ends with an image that reveals
superiors to still be equals. Picture an engine that slowly turns,
or a lottery that ends anticipation, and what it says is that
"not ruins" is the fruit of the future and the present.
But odder building superstructure on this ruin of land
if, saying ruing and ruining are found begging, at some beginning.
This old ruin for founding begins with
rolled up bills in a tube of construction blueprints.
People's Hero Liang Sicheng is without mark. Park has remained as it was.
The horseman's abecedary, when the image is mocked up and wrongly opened
to begin with, reveals the estranged: an unrolled map to etiquette for
those foundlings for fathers. No child without the father's wishing, wishing
this is fortune. Horseman Xiangru rides up the fortifying wall, however
he has not yet tamped it, so writes himself in as persisting in his riding party.
 
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