The End of the Ming

A little Chinese history from 1644...

Out in the hinterland the wild wolves call

While the soldiers shiver, strung along The Great Wall,

Their hands on their quivers, with their arrows, full flight

As they listen for the Manchu troops in the night.

 

They would beat off the peasants at the Shanhai Pass

As The Wall held firm, for the Ming’s last gasp,

But the rebels beat the army of the last of the Ming,

In the city of the Emperor, the Old Beijing.

 

And they fired the city under Li Zicheng

While the Emperor despaired, he was called Chongzhen,

He threw a final feast for the House of the Ming,

And he called for his daughter, the Lady Chang Ping.

 

When the feast was over they awaited his word

But he slew each one with the point of his sword,

And his daughter too, bowed down to his will,

Then he fled the palace grounds, to Jingshan Hill.

 

And there with a rope on a myrtle tree

Chongzhen hung himself as high as could be,

While the leader of the peasants, this Li Zicheng,

Tried to found the Shun, as he buried Chongzhen.

 

But a General of the Ming, one Wu Sangui

He opened up the gates of The Wall one day,

And the Manchu troops streamed through to Beijing

Where they finished off the army, and Li Zicheng.

 

It was written in the stars, shining down on The Wall

That a dynasty rises as a dynasty falls,

But the soldiers on The Wall, now finished with the Ming,

Still keep a steady watch for the House of Qing.

 

For out in the hinterland the wild wolves call

And a soldier’s duty is to guard The Great Wall,

For it little matters here about the Emperor’s plan,

Just the wives and children of the soldiers of the Han!

 

David Lewis Paget

 

(Glossary:

Shanhai - Shan-high,

Li Zicheng - Lee Zer Cheng,

Chongzhen - Chung Gen,

Wu Sangui - Oo Sang way

Qing - Ching)

Reviews

[Kristallo]

I was delighted to read this, I just love learning about the histories of other cultures. This was so skillfully written and truly captivating, alight with vivid imagery and the poignant truths of war. I especially adores this section:

It was written in the stars, shining down on The Wall
That a dynasty rises as a dynasty falls,
But the soldiers on The Wall, now finished with the Ming,
Still keep a steady watch for the House of Qing.

There is so much to adore in your writing- i've found that you are one of the few poets here whom I can count on to truly lose myself in the work. This is a richly brilliant story you've spun here, delivered with candor and vigor. I loved it.

[Kristallo]

Adored*, oops! I forgot to add, also, that the title caught me because on weekends I take care of the sweetest elderly woman who has a little dog named 'Ming.' Now I know what she named him after. Thanks. ;)

[Enid Blake]

...and I couldn't help reading it in like a drill tune.

[Valentine]

David..I heard that waqll was 2000 miles long..and the wars back then were hand to hand combat and many fell..I love your tales..Knowing you lived in China for a while peaked my interest..Good tale..Love and God bless Lyn and you..Katihe

[Chris]

Twists and events... interweavings of intent. History has meaning to be examined and understood. Well spoken.

[Lumière Dé..]

Well not only was that a lovely read but I also learned a thing or two :)
Your form (a-a-b-b) reminds me of that which Ogden Nash would use unrelentlessly, which to be honest wouldn't be my first choice but I must say, you used it well and it took nothing away from the poem what so ever. I'm just picky is all.

[roarke]

... and so it goes.

I'm guessing this is a slight simplification... lol

The phrasing and images of that first stanza are certainly worthy of building a whole dynasty around. Too bad you weren't my history teacher.

[emmajoy]

Not only do you write poetry in the most skilled and literary way, you teach history too. We're so very fortunate to have you here in the Cafe. I truly mean that. It's difficult enough to rhyme ordinary words with each other but to use Chinese names and do the same takes an amazing ability. I've now read this three times .. nodding my head to its extraordinary march of words, and, just can't find a particular section that surpasses the rest.

(Reading the review below, the writer uses the same or similar word as I - 'skill' - tis what you have, sir)