Sik Road For C.P.Sharma Poem by ivor or ivor.e hogg

Silk Road.

I will remember ‘til I die,
the crowded caravanserai
Where weary travellers spent the night
and tried to sleep until day light.

The camels voicing their complaint
would try the patience of a saint.
Our journey started in Cathay
we very slowly made our way.

With bales of silk we would exchange
for foreign treasures rare and strange.
A camel driver’s life is hard
we risked our lives for small reward.

The greedy merchants stayed at home.
It’s only fools like me that roam
and dare the dangers of the road
to protect our precious load.

We traversed over desert sands
until we reached the greener land.
The rugged mountains of the west
but still for us there’s little rest.

For brigands dog us all the way
We have to keep watch night and day
until we reach our journeys end.
We must be ready to defend

ourselves against the outlaw bands.
Who roam at will in the wild lands,
where they sell for easy prey
unarmed travellers to way lay.

But we are many and well armed
allowed to go our way unharmed.
Until we reach our final goal,
though we must pay the city toll.

Before we sell our merchandise
to anyone who has the price.
Fine silk a rare commodity
their merchants will buy readily.

When all is sold then we can rest
before we face the final test
Of getting safely home again
a happy band of weary men.

I am grown old my hair is white
but I remember with delight.
The great adventures that I had
while I was still a growing lad.

The old Silk Road still calls to me.
Because of my infirmity
I am too old and weak today.
I cannot go so I must stay.

I watch the caravans pass by
no longer touched by jealousy.
I know my travelling days are done
and that quite soon I will be gone.

Far, far beyond the yellow springs
to where the golden dragon sings
his song of welcome from the skies
for every son of Han who dies.
30-Apr-08