It was my birthday today..almost six months to the day…since I arrived in Taiwan. I had a wonderful day…with a special friend. This poem a further reflection of my experience on the island. A ‘wendan’ is a local name for a pomelo.

In and out of
the towns and cities.
The next papaya
or wendan, a
homeland persisting
Drinkers, poets and
black earth sprouting.
A floating island,
deep in meditation.
Perched across
death and life.
Each star….
a solitary moment
and nothing in the cry.