Trevor Landers
2 Poems
On Leaving Dalian, China II
Passport stamped with Hanja, barely readable red ink no less,
(ten minutes trying to decide where Ireland is though!)
and a nosey inquisition through the other stamps…
boarding finally complete, the ferry coughs, slips away from the wharf
spluttering diesel fumes, dense blackness billowing from the stacks
surprisingly, there are fish swimming in the harbour’s water
the boat leaves the breakwaters behind
the photographer’s vision quickly clouded
the sickly yellow inpenetrability of Dalian’s smog
enshrouding buildings, city, ferryboat,
all heading toward invisibility, all in a Yellow sea.The National Flower of Romania
this flower blooms only after dusk
at night, at night, it blooms, at night,
I miss sulphur lights – stars
offer no safety – no matter their numbers
nor roses the colour of heartbeats
more like purple violets
blooming just under her skin.