The giant, majestic eagle swooped down
Disappearing between the high sand dunes
Seeking to quench its thirst in the calm lake waters
Amidst the luscious magical oasis
Encircled by golden-beige sands of the vast Gobi desert.
Remnants of a Chinese pagoda towering over diverse small buildings
Tell tales of generations long gone, that trading once boomed,
Chanting, laughing, bartering rang out within, nearby, these ancient walls.
Nomadic tribes, tradesmen from near and far,
Buddhist seekers of divinity, Muslims once travelled this route
From east to west, north to south
Pausing along their journey
Resting beneath the stars,
Replenishing water jugs,
Praying in the shrines along the way
For their safe return home.
Diverse languages, nationalities once mingled
Trading their wares, astonished eyes engulfing new novelties,
Missionaries spreading their beliefs,
Artists showcasing their talents,
Inventors their new technologies,
Debating new ideas,
Hunters, animal lovers introducing
Arabian horses, camels, eagle-taming, snake dancing.
Lasting friendships were formed,
Business partners made deals,
Fights were fought to fend off bandits.
Babies were born,
Along the silk road route
Life bustled here.
Skeletons of humans, animals
Killed, starved, died lacking water
Peeking above the sand.
More mysteries hidden below.
Market globalization first expanded here
Giving birth to the silk revolution
Spices blended, scenting, filling the air
Caravans of diverse nations colored the desert,
Translators’ paradise.
Cultures blended, merged,
Curiosities sparked,
Land routes, maritime routes,
Architecture, art influenced new methods.
Chinese inventions silk, porcelain
Boomed in European homes
Greed, envy, covetousness grew
Production methods stolen.
Black market prospered.
BIO.
Jennifer M. Garnatz was born in Jamaica, West Indies. She was raised by a single father and attended a Catholic boarding school. In 1980, she spontaneously migrated to Germany, worked as a bilingual management assistant, retiring in 2019.
Her self-published poetry collection "Romantically Erotic Deadly Spiritual Society" is available only via online bookstores. It also contains poems about nature as well as her father’s murder before her 20th birthday. She believes her purpose in life is to help the underprivileged.
She has featured at Nuyorican Poets Café, also in Toronto, Jamaica, Germany, and co-featured at Chicago's Green Mill Lounge.
Commenti