Manhattan's Chinatown was on her list
of places she wanted to visit.
So far she'd been to Central Park, Ellis Island, and the Empire State Building.
She would go to Chinatown next.


A subway ride, then several blocks on foot.
Sidewalk vendors along the way, selling watches and imported 'leather' boots.
Chinatown's streets were narrow, the sidewalks crowded.
Fish markets everywhere: fresh fish, eels, and baby octopus.


Oriental fans and ginger jars stood on display in shop windows,
Chinese menus, Chinese characters...where could she go for directions?
A bunch of ruby grapes were tempting......
But she must not spoil her appetite, for Won-Ton soup was was waiting.


A Chinese waiter who didn't speak English?
How on earth did he manage when so many English-speaking customers were there?
Wall mirrors reflected diners using chopsticks,
And herself wearing a little black dress.


Oh my, she thought when severa dishes of food appeared.
I'll never eat this much; I only ordered soup.
A man at a table across the room caught her eye and smiled.
He got up, walked over, and said, "May I sit for awhile?"


He had seen her on the sidewalk, just before she came in.
He had seen her before that, he admitted, and described the place.
"I saw you in Central Park yesterday....
You were wearing a white hat and a pretty blue dress."


"Yes," she said, smiling.
They talked about the sights they'd seen, and about their plans for the next day.
When they finished their meal, the waiter brought
a small Styrofoam box for what was left.
Her new friend insisted on paying for the meal and when it was time to go, they left together.










The Ruby Ring

By susi (Texaswishr@aol.com)

My mother wore a ruby ring
I found among her box of things
Given to her by my dad
Her wedding ring and the ruby ring
the only ones she ever had


I remember when I lived in San Antonio
I had a little black dress with a red rose
I wore it on a date with a guy named Scharmann
Who I found out was not all that charmin'


Pearl Sydenstricker was her name at birth
Grew up to be Pearl Buck, who wrote "The Good Earth"
A Nobel Prize in Literature was what she won
The first American woman to do so
Wa'al son of a gun!!


A New York City scene that I remember
Was the first time I had seen a chestnut vendor
I bought some that were pipin' hot
They really did hit the spot.


While on that New York City trip
In Chinatown I chanced to slip
upon a wonton wrapper under my foot
Learned from then on where my feet to put


I hate opening a package only to see
Styrofoam peanuts waiting for me
to dig thru and find the treasure there
while they go flying thru the air










Happy Birthday or Not

By Norma (Twi1ite@sbcglobal.net)

A lover of all things Chinese
Received gifts of Oriental flavor,
A cork sculpture was one of these,
A China town tiny to favor.


Another was a ruby red box,
Lacquered with a peacock grand,
Velvet lined and musical,
She caressed it in her hand.


The vendor was a thrift store,
So costly the gifts were not.
But they had to be mailed somehow,
The giver had forgot.


In her little black dress she waved so long,
Got on a Southwest Airplane,
Last thing she sang was a plaintive song,
Send my gifts, with anxiety I’m insane.


There were others, an old gold bowl,
And a splurge of Shishedo perfume,
So protective she would not try to take them
Tho cross the earth they had found her room.


Shipped each will they be one by one,
Without the benefit of Styrofoam,
Packed in popcorn will they be,
To find their way to the birds at her home.



(They were costly enough to be insured, so will be mailed separately so if one gets lost they don't all get lost. Next time - gift certificate!)