Hanoi Warms Up

 

Early one morning I circle Hoan Kiem Lake?(“Lake of the Restored Sword”) in Old?Hanoi. The lake is a?rich jungly green. In its centre on an island stands the?Turtle?Tower, commemorating the return to the Golden Turtle God of?his Magic Sword. A shrine, joined to?the lakeshore?by a red lacquered bridge, attracts wedding parties,?brides in?crimson ao dai and?grooms in white. The lake is a focal point for strollers,?families, and?lovers. Elderly men and women practice their morning?martial arts on the manicured grass. I photograph a young?couple beside the lake in the shade of a bamboo grove.

tai?chi class?
two lovers turning it
horizontal

 

 

(senryu published in?’Asahi?Haikuist Network’,?May 1, 2015 and ‘Under the Basho’, 2015)

Published by

Marietta McGregor

Marietta is a botanist and journalist who has pursued various careers from palynology researcher, garden designer, parliamentary guide and visitor manager at an astronomical observatory to science and technology marketer. Having spent much of her life explaining things, she now tries to let them explain themselves while capturing some of the unique spirit of the Australian land.

8 thoughts on “”

  6. Loved this, terrific depiction of Hoan Kiem Lake and the life around it, took me back …

    spring date in Hanoi
    her modest dress creeps up
    riding pillion

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  7. Thank you all for the very kind comments! I had somehow dropped off the tinywords emailing list, so didn't even see this was up until a friend on Facebook gave me a shout-out!

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