Sampan Girl, 1956.

Many years ago, there was a young soldier called JohnL - - - - - - - - and he lived happily ever after!

 

Sampan Girl, Kowloon - 1956

 

 

 

Nineteen fifty six, in your sampan

I took your picture as your oar

carved a swathe toward Kowloon,           

City of Nine Dragons.

Your smile still haunts me,

my sampan girl.

Where are you?

I ask,

Now.

Author's Note

I did take the picture and it was i956 in Yaumati Typhoon Shelter, Kowloon. She skulled me ashore from a mission boat in the shelter.

Reviews

[Emily Elizabeth]

Wow, is that picture really from the fifties? That's so cool!
It's touching really, and makes the reader think where this little girl might be now? Of course I think it's only left to the imagination. Her smile is really innocent and free, I wonder what became of that smile? One can only think...
Your power as a poet is timeless. I'm so glad I got the chance of reading your work!

[Gandré]

This is absolutely touching and ohh... in few lines such a strong memory, loving even between the gaps...making the reader feel, so he doesn't need to believe anymore.. This is the secret of wonderful poetry.

[Gandré]

This is absolutely touching and ohh... in few lines such a strong memory, loving even between the gaps...making the reader feel, so he doesn't need to believe anymore.. This is the secret of wonderful poetry.

[Emily Rose]

Oooh, haunting. The form is interesting, too - I like how it crunches in from the top down. I miss the description though - you seem to rely a little too much on the picture to tell the girl's story. More imagery, perhaps?

[Leah Simone]

This is a beautiful picture - and gorgeous girl - such a flower is rare - I can see why you wonder what became of her - such a light in her eyes.