The Lions Will Not Sleep Tonight

 

 

The Lions Will Not Sleep Tonight

 

To vigorous drumbeats, cymbals, and gongs,

together with firecrackers’ booming pops and bangs,

the Northern or Southern lions dance in exquisite synchronicity.

 

Dancing to repel ghosts and demons,

those creatures who abhor ear-splitting noises,

dancing to tell stories to carry forth the heritage.

 

Dances to bring fortune and luck,

replete with art and historical representations,

danced alongside paths where tables 

are laden with auspicious greens.

Green foods plucked, sating the lions’ palate,

and demonstrating that abundance of what is needed is imminent.

Costumes built with durable and waterproof material.

Red envelopes, pay packets bringing luck and good lot,

lucky money in even amounts, sans four,

wrapped in significant red paper.

 

Oranges and dexterity complete the activity,

and bring joy, learning, and a sense of pride to many.

 

*No animals were hurt in the making of this poem.

 

  

Linda Imbler

 

 

Linda Imbler’s poetry collections include five published paperbacks: “Big Questions, Little Sleep,” “Big Questions, Little Sleep” second edition (expanded with 66 additional poems), Lost and Found,” “Red Is The Sunrise,”  and “Bus Lights, Travel Sights.”  

Soma Publishing has published her three e-book collections, “The Sea’s Secret Song,”  “Pairings,” a hybrid of short fiction and poetry, and “That Fifth Element.” Her newest e-book. Per Quindecim,  will be published by Soma Publishing in early 2021.  

Examples of Linda’s poetry and a listing of publications can be found at lindaspoetryblog.blogspot.com.  In addition to writing, she helps her husband, a Luthier, build acoustic guitars in Wichita, Kansas, U.S.A.