Part 8 | The Tiger

Southbound.  To the county’s edge
Far from the city.  A calmness. Worlds away
Past South Bay.  A coastal oasis
Farther still.  Past Palos Verdes
Royal seaside living.  Perched on cliffs 
Landscape changes.  Urban.  Compact
Telephone poles replacing trees
San Pedro

Nestled.  Close to the sea  
Angels Gate Park
Grassy hillsides sat upon jagged rock
Famed basketball court with water’s glassy view
The park’s grand central adornment
Decorative jade roof.  Strong ruby pillars
Cemented pedestal.  Large instrument of copper and tin
The Korean Bell of Friendship

Vandals.  Holding colored paints.  Defacing the monument
Sound of a shaking can.  Sound of paint spray.  Graffiti
I yell.  For the vandals thought they were alone
They run 
With paint fresh.  I erase their work
Shining the bell’s surface.  Before pulling the rope
Sounding its song

Ding dong.  Rings loud across the land
Rippling off the sea
Too loud.  I step out of the bell’s roofed abode
Stripes.  Unraveling out of the air
Black stripes.  Form a hollowed torso
Outlining the shape of a head.  Legs.  Tail
No fur.  No body.  Only stripes
Claws without paws.  Fangs without mouth
A mystical sight.  The Tiger

She Speaks

“My friend.  You summon me today
Asking forgiveness.  You have forsaken us
Native spirits.  Inviting foreign gods to our land
I suppose you are worthy of redemption
Warding off delinquents who aimed to defile my beloved sanctuary
Yes.  I will permit you passage from this land
Go now.  Back to the metropolis.
Discover the world’s shortest railway
Only then will you find my bandit totem brother
Sly.  Mask adorned.  Mischievous 
Go now.  Seek out The Raccoon