It Is Within You: Poems on the Li River

Contents The second installment in this month’s, University of North Florida themed, CLI Perspectives is courtesy of Maria Khalaf and Robyn Haywood. Aside from its people, one of Guilin’s most memorable features is its beautiful landscape. Maria and Robyn use the medium of poetry to share how Guilin’s natural scenery shaped their experience studying in China. Li River By Maria Khalaf, CLI Study Tour student Li River The peaches waving daringly in the blistered hands, A day’s wait for the passersby to earn a day’s worth, Oh Li River, you provide all. The peaks beyond atmosphere form an unyielding prison wall, All trekkers trapped in your relentless bosom Unable or simply afraid to imagine your arms open wider. The remains of our belongings tossed aside to make way for new bait. Let me stay here, oh Li River. Gladly will I be swallowed in pieces to be whole again Where your nauseating green smell churns the innermost organs. I feel like I’m falling, oh Li River. No longer significant, My past and my future as far apart as your banks allow. If there is a center, a place where life meets death casually, Where thoughts and words are unwelcome, Where the urge to leap overrules reason, It is within you, oh Li River. Maria enjoying China's natural beauty It is within you, oh Li River By Robyn Haywood, CLI Study Tour student It is within you, oh Li River Proud mountains and tall trees Stand firm against the wind, Constant yet impermanent. How strange nature is. Robyn posing in front of a replica ancient Chinese coin