Drying Out in Hong Kong
F.L. Blumberg
Curbside abalone, a passing cab,
Butterflied fish on a concrete slab.
Reishi are given a prime parking space,
Sea cucumber, too, demands pride of place.
White herring hang near the track of a tram,
Emerald tarp under sliced Chinese yam.
In pairs on poles the twined sausage matures,
A man reads the news while the shark's fin cures.
Amid rough muk heung, Bauhinias lush,
Baskets of fish maw unfazed by the rush.
Snow chrysanthemum—textured modern art,
Starfish on offer might give you a start.
Other sights leave an eerier echo:
Yikes! Was that a . . . desiccated gecko?
Should any dried good throw you for a loop,
Just assume it is put in medicinal soup.
