Andrew Yip - Chinatown - The Rainbow Place

Chinatown - the rainbow place,
A rainbow of fresh hopes and fervent dreams
Above dark clouds, grey skies and sombre haze,
Upon this shade and shelter the warm sun gleams.

Chinatown - where heritage and tradition grew,
With bonds of common love and uncommon caring ties,
Tells a tale of early pioneers, tinted red or blue but true,
Of splendour in human endeavour, and glory in sacrifice.

Along side streets and lonely lanes are traces
Of quaint quarters and familiar funky places.
But these are feeble echoes of the past as time left little around,
Though some samsui women and old coolies can still be found.

Know then there's a radiant rainbow in the sky,
And sun and showers from heaven truly bless the land.
Chinatown's heritage and colours will not fade or die,
As long as its roots and role steer clear of shifting sand.

(From the ServiceWorld Chinatown Hostel, Singapore and Singapore Heritage Gallery Collection)

Andrew Yip

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/chinatown-the-rainbow-place/