THE HONG KONG JUNGLE [3 of 3]

The Hong Kong Jungle

THE HONG KONG JUNGLE [2 of 3]

The Grey Jungle

Follow the narrow sidewalk past the un-

clear 

metal-air and see the 

trees 

of steel and progress –– the 

glass-

leaved branches of the concrete canopy 

Here, the animals pulse like traffic on

shallow

foot-paths where elevated, escalated, 

metal-

souled idols wear lingerie and gold

chains

in the name of "G.O.D."

The wildlife drink diesel and 

smoke

cigarettes, tamed by years of 

reckless 

propriety and education, 

existing 

in an eco-system of air-

conditioned 

heart beats and synthetic blood 

All the while, asphalt bleeds in rivers of 

black 

fingernails gripping the reclaimed 

earth

and burying her secrets under his 

streets 

for the bottoms of our 

souls

to walk on

THE HONG KONG JUNGLE [1 of 3]

Editor's Note: We at The Year of the Dragon have decided to post a poem written by the young author Tommy Poole. The poem titled The Hong Kong Jungle is a three piece poem with two written parts and one audio. These pieces were originally submitted last autumn to the independent publication "Swivelchair," and will be posted on this blog in three consecutive posts with pictures to accommodate the visual learners in our readership. 
____

The Green Jungle

Follow the rain-stained clay

past 

the curbside concert of concrete noise 

where

one can still hear trees tell 

secrets 

in Chinese characters 

Where the monkeys still hustle and 

cuss 

at the flying kites who look 

down

hoping for some careless

business

in the trees below 

All the while, the jungle 

breathes 

in a steady green rhythm of falling 

leaves, 

and the wind whispers to 

no one 

but the ants and the undergrowth 

Here, everything is 

eaten 

by the thin vine that 

slithers

like a python toward the 

concrete

like unstoppable consumption

Her victims go down quietly,

swallowed

in stones and leafy scales, for 

hikers 

to walk on

Soul

A broken building on campus near the church. There's a law in Hong Kong
that protects oldbuildings from demolition,  but not from decay. 

Written in graffiti on a bridge in the park
'Do you ever get the feeling that you're missing the mark'
...

Written up in marker on a factory sign
'I struggle with the feeling that my life isn't mine'
...

So on a concrete canvas under cover of dark
Concrete canvas, I'll go making my mark
Armed with a spray can soul
I'll be armed with a spray can soul

Ooh...

COLDPLAY, "Hurts Like Heaven"

Some Lines

Sometimes lines get stuck. They get trapped in our brain and bounce around like a golf ball in a brick oven.

Sometimes lines resonate. They hit our soul like a wind that shakes the whole tree from its roots to its hands.

Sometimes lines refract. When held to the light they prism-cast several shades of meaning and insight.

Sometimes lines breathe. They have a pulse that takes us by the wrist into slower paces of thinking.

__

Haven Films has begun pre-production for their next film project. While brain storming and dream casting, a line got stuck. I'm sure it's been used somewhere. I even googled it to see if it's been used. I'm worried I saw it in a movie or read it in a book or something but forgot when and where and now think it's original. I might come across it some time, we'll see. But for now it's in the vault –– SIV 2012 Storm Pad.

Camp Ida-Haven August 6, 2011. Saturday night final edit, crunch time.
Phillip and Jon are two of the most creative and genius people I know. 

Contents copyright © 2012 by Haven Films

Little Dragons on Grace

"Nooooooooo. Mr. Tommmmyyyyyyyyeeeee. But we cannot act!" 

"You won't even need to act." 

"But we cannot sinnnnggggg!" 

"Yes you can. Everyone can sing, some people just sound a little better than others. And it's just for fun, c'mon." 

"Ayyyaaahhhhh." 

"Trust me. You guys will enjoy it, when you see the finished product ... and it's all over." 

"Yes of course, we'll be happy when it's over!" 

Crossroads

Crossroads is a nonprofit linking resources and needs. It was started by accident by an expatriate couple in Hong Kong back in the 1990s. Well, it may not have been an accident, but they happened into it, and Crossroads has been growing ever since.

The location has a uniquely redemptive vibe. The foundation lives on an old army barracks –– about three acres and several buildings. On the grounds are apartments for dozens of international and local volunteers, warehouses for donated goods, a free-trade coffee shop and gift store, and a team of interactive "Global Xperiences." These experiences put the 'in' in 'innovative.' They educate people in the 'Developed World,' about struggles of the 'Developing World' by immersing them in real time scenarios (poverty, HIV/AIDs, refugee camps, and more).  For example, in the poverty scenario, students are divided into groups, camped in a rundown section of the barracks, given a certain amount of money, and a way of income – such as collecting newspapers for recycling ($2 a day).  Whichever group gets out of poverty first, wins. Before long, an actor comes along – the landlord – and he demands his monthly rent, which the students can't afford. Other crises come up as well while the students frantically work at the papers.

I wasn't actually a part of this scenario, but our school did it last year. Some of the students got frustrated and started thinking of ways they could get out faster. They're solution was simple:  'borrow money' from the other team, and 'flirt' with the landlord to get a lower rent. I think it's telling that they're immediate 'go to' plan was theft and prostitution.

Our school has four community service days each year, and this year we've been to Crossroads for three of them. We haven't done any of the 'Global Xperiences,' but the students have had multiple possibilities to help out. One of the more valuable opportunities afforded by Crossroads is the chance to mingle with the volunteer staff. Everyone working there is a volunteer, some are sponsored by churches or organizations, but none are paid by the foundation. Several of them come from countries littered with poverty and aids and refugee camps. Their diverse stories and spirit of service embody Crossroad's mission.

Doni does the snake while Crossroads' vc, Mandy, gives instructions.  

Plans for expansion are posted around the grounds. In the back are a couple of laymen's wheelchairs. 

A crate ready to be shipped to our central Asian neighbors. 

The girls can't believe it!

The crews bag ground and move it around. 

Eric makes friends with the refugee camp garuds.