As I mentioned in my Senso-ji post, I wrote a few of my own haiku while in Japan. It seemed fitting. I shared one before about the beautiful orb weavers I saw throughout my time in Japan. That one was spontaneous. These poems, however, I had planned to write while in the Land of the Rising Sun.
The week before my trip I discussed patriotism with my students. For my fourth grade class, we were also studying poetry, particularly the haiku. In that class for our patriotism discussion, we chose eight Wonders of China, just like I did with my university students six years ago. Then, for their homework over the week-long holiday, they were to write a haiku for each of the wonders. I decided, since I was going to be in the land of the haiku, to write my own. Here they are for your enjoyment. You will notice though that I only have seven. I forgot what the eighth of our wonders was. Oops!
The Great Wall
Long wall, ancient wall,
Stands to keep destroyers out,
Great ruins rebuilt.
The Shanghai Tower
Tall, second tallest,
Above Shanghai it rises,
Small, people ants, small.
The Forbidden City
Forbidden for us,
Emperor’s wooden abode,
Now open to us.
The Peking Man Site
Ancient man found here,
Near Peking, heart of China.
In caves drab and drear.
The Mogao Caves
Long forgotten caves,
Desert preserved for to see,
World-known forever.
The Tulou of Fujian
Round, fortified home,
For Family, friend, not foe,
Fujian treasure.
The Temple of Heaven
Symbol of Beijing,
Round for ancient rituals,
Temple of Heaven.