Paula Doan - The An Ping Wall

Jan. 5, 2013

Outlasting its purpose:
The Dutch, afraid
on the Beautiful Island,
build the walls of red brick
with musket holes
to seek security.

The well inside the walls for security;
water under siege a purpose.
Rumored tunnels in the holes
help them not to be afraid,
for the red stacked brick
obscures the Beautiful Island.

The Dutch cannot possess the island.
Portuguese seek security
behind the Dutch red brick.
Pursuing the familiar purpose,
they, too, are afraid
and peer cautiously through musket holes.

Portuguese defenses, full of holes.
They lose the Beautiful Island.
Formosans must remain afraid,
vigilant to maintain security.
Chinese and Japanese come with one purpose:
take the island and the red Dutch brick.

Time lives in the crumbling red brick.
Children poke hands in the musket holes
trying to touch history with innocent purpose.
Five hundred years the wall watched the Beautiful Island,
but gave only false security,
for even now, Formosa stands afraid.

The lovers at the aging wall are not afraid.
They see only each other, not the red Dutch brick.
In each other's arms they find security:
His one arm around her waist, his other hand grips at musket holes.
Time passes on the Beautiful Island,
And the old Dutch wall finds new purpose.

Page maintained by UHD Academic Affairs Webmaster

Last updated or reviewed on 1/15/13