Year of the Dog

The smoke and dust clear

Yet, the sulphur still lingers

We cast out the demons

With brimstone and flames

Crackling loud into the night

As had the night’s belly pork

Gracing the dinner tables

Drums and cymbals beneath

All this fire, light and din, sing

And to make this festive occasion

Triply potent and self-sure

Into this blazing cauldron pour

Dancing lions of silken manes

And virile youths gesticulating

With martial fury’s bane

Garnished with screaming children

And admiring awe-struck crowds

Another new year’s banquet

Of overload and senses

Then, out came the brooms

In their hushed aftermath

Sweeping away last year’s crumbs

And half-eaten remains

Bar myself within my shadows

To bark and growl at for another year.

Cheung-Ling Wong

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