The Meaning of Hong Kong

(Amnesia from Anemoia)

“School of Dragons” by Kasra Shroff

For us, 
who have walked along
the Before with joy,
and trod through the After 
with angst,
it's desiderium —

It’s a sampan ride 
with a boat-dwelling Tanka; 
a pipe smoked 
with an old Hakka.

It’s the taste of 臭豆腐¹
archaic, tempting,
even if it comes 
with the stink.

For you, 
who are moving your first steps 
on the balance beam,
and climb onto bamboo scaffolding 
to see the sky,
it's anemoia.

It’s the song 
you've never heard;
the candles 
no longer lit;
the books burnt 
on bonfires.

It's the echo 
without the cave.

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1. cau3 dau6 fu6: fermented bean curd, also known as ‘smelly tofu’.

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Paola Caronni is an Italian living in Asia for over twenty years. Paola’s poems have been published in anthologies and literary journals. Her poetry collection Uncharted Waters (2021) won the Proverse Prize and received a grant from the HKADC.