Red Lanterns
Written by Major Tom
Filed under: Personal and Family
March 30, 2006
I was being snglguy yesterday, that is, rummaging for junks in my closets and cabinets. But instead of finding still functional batteries and serviceable records, all I’ve got was stack and stack of papers and dysfunctional toys left high-and-dry by the kids long after they became operative—like robots arms that use to carry either swords or mallets or toy cars without wheels. I had to burn them down.
But my junk hunt wasn’t for naught after all for within those piles of obsolete office documents (some from the Department of Health where my wife is working and some from the World Bank-funded agency where I use to hunt for bread and butter) I’ve got hold of this piece of yellow paper with a poem scribbled on it, one that I had written so long ago; so far into the past in fact that were it not for the very familiar penmanship, I would not have recognized it as my own work. The poem goes like this:
Let Me See Those Red Lanterns
There, let me see those red lanterns
That illuminates these dungeons underneath,
Where I could only surmise the truth
That is breathing upon my sullen neck
Where perdition is almost certain and unveiled,
Unequalled in its malice, without reassurances,
That I tried to peddle in the past,
Without aim for profit nor gain,
Nor garnishing or ornamentation whatsoever,
In order to stupefy my unknowing disposition.
Let me see those red lanterns,
Soft as the moon in its flight,
Where even nocturnal longing could not taint or stain,
The rhythm of my pulse,
Bellowing and heaving in my chest—this gasping wound,
Into a staccato like pounded condiment,
And bleed the wholeness of my enmity.
When these waters run dry,
Let me see those red lanterns.
Let Me See Those Red Lanterns… that was the title of a poem that I have certainly written in the past but have entirely forgot about—like the reasons behind it and the circumstances that had led me to write it. Usually, my poems speak of matters and circumstances, and of persons that are or were related to me, either in good stead or in utter malice.
And for the first time, I had become the examiner of my own poem—what meanings and insinuations lie behind those written words; what did the author desire to convey; what did the word “lantern’ symbolizes and why it was “red”.
Maybe I was once inspired by Zhang Zimou’s critically acclaimed film “Raise The Red Lantern” although I’ve never seen it even for once in the past or a song from “Miss Saigon” that sounded just like the title of this poem.
For sure, the language I’ve used in this poem like “dungeons” and “sullen neck” indicates that I have written “Let Me See Those Red Lanterns” while once I was in a sort of a dark mood and was musing about some unenthusiastic happenstance that seem to have affected me at one particular time and had egged me (or you can say had inspired me) to translate my inner ramblings into a lyrical composition.
And red lantern signified salvation and deliverance as I have sought for it every time the “water runs dry” and it was “soft as moonlight in its flight”.
Still, my mind wanders and speculates up to this time ‘bout what particular poignant situation I was referring to in this poem. What exactly was red lantern? What kind of matters was it or whom was I referring to? Maybe one day, I shall be able to fully unlock the remaining unanswered questions behind “Let Me See Those Red Lanterns”.
You can read more of my poems here: The Wandering Soul
Have you ever tried publishing you works? Or are they just private collections…
I think you should include another category in this blog called ‘My Poetries’
Comment by snglguy — March 30, 2006 @ 11:09 pm
To snglguy: I have been published in a number of local newspaper and of course in the college newsmagazine where I used to be an editor. I tried submitting some of my poems but so far no luck with the national magazines. Maybe, that time will come.
I’ll be putting up that category in a while perhaps.
Comment by Major Tom — March 31, 2006 @ 3:54 pm
Hey! Great poem you’ve got there! It does somehow sparks something from me….kinda inspired by your work I guess….
Major Tom, you’re really good! Keep on….
Comment by Flex J! — April 1, 2006 @ 5:14 am
Great poetry Major Tom. Indeed you are one excellent wordsmith. Your work can sit well with other major literary works.
Comment by Sam — April 1, 2006 @ 3:46 pm
To Flex J and Sam: Thanks both of you for the very encouraging note. I hope Flex J that the spark would shine much brighter. And Sam, that’s the kindest criticism I have had so far. Thanks again.
Comment by Major Tom — April 2, 2006 @ 3:50 pm
I’m always in awe of poets like you. How easy of you guys to play with words. Where do you get your inspiration?
Comment by Abaniko — April 3, 2006 @ 3:44 am
To Abaniko: I’ve read you quite thoroughly by now Niko and I am sure given the right inspiration and timing, you’ll find your way easily. Mostly, I get my inspiration in situations like love and desperation. After that, I am most inclined to have poetic thoughts about persons and things. A passing sight of clouds or a flower can at times trigger my poetic tendencies.
Comment by Major Tom — April 3, 2006 @ 3:55 pm
Geez Maj. Tom, I bet you can write about anything man. Have you been to an aptitude test where they ask you to write a 300 word essay about a 4 x 4 inch square?
Your post reminds me when I was a grader, I was rummaging through an old cabinet and lo and behold I found my dad’s love letters to my mom along with some beautiful poetry. I was a young lad then and both my parents are gone now. How I wished we kept them to remember the great love that bound them together for so many years.
Comment by bw — April 3, 2006 @ 9:45 pm
the red lantern maybe is one preoccupation you had to deal with before..
nice poem..
Comment by bing — April 3, 2006 @ 11:01 pm
To BW: That quiz would be of the terrifying sorts although I’ve seen stranger things. Those mementos of your parents are surely priceless. But I bet, even if those letters were gone, they would still be well-remembered and well-loved.
To Bing: I beleive you just gave me a very strong hint. It must have been some predicament I had before with my work and the work environment, you know,..the politickings and emotional ramblings…Thanks for this Bing.
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