XI'AN

In aught eleven I found myself
At the end of the Silk Road
Home of Han Dynasty
This is my story

I made it to an inn in a city called Xi'an
The name of the concierge was Psycho (it really was) 
The weather was cold and grey
The northwestern climate was unforgiving
I was given a driver and left to explore this exotic region
We rode a short distance outside the city
I remained unscathed after facing thousands of warriors (the terra cotta ones)
At the Huaqing Pool I saw the captivating Yang Yuhuan
Back in the city I walked through pagodos and temples
I climbed to the top of the city wall
I attempted to ride a bicycle the entire circumference,  but it was much too cold

The language was different from the prevalent Mandarin of China
I ate food that was different but somewhat familiar
A quesadilla without cheese
Long lasagna-esque noodles in tomato soup
Lamb, steamed buns
The street food was sweet and savory, I couldn't eat enough
I saw the drum tower at night, all lit up,
Surrounded by hundred of kites which glimmered in the spotlights
Its sister, the bell tower, was equally impressive
The streets displayed a myriad of cultures
Hui Muslims, Tibetan schools, Taoist temples, Confucian ideals

Back in Xi'an
Land of the Han 
Older than time
Antiquity sublime

--August 2020, Ash Hall