In China certain days
are supposed to be lucky
already ordained by some deity
who left behind instructions
on how to proceed
preparation is elaborate
and begins with the dawn
when demons are swept from homes
with ribbon tied brooms
to awaken the spirits
that have been tormenting their lives
drawers, cabinets and closets
are emptied and unhappy ghosts
stumble out and are
pushed to the door
paper lanterns hang from
ceilings and create shadows
that trap devious spirits
in the corners of rooms
an ancestor’s breath
in the form of a bird
flutters the air
and the scent of tradition,
jasmine and flight
mark this as a
fortuitous day
Leslie Dianne is a poet, novelist, screenwriter, playwright and performer whose work has been acclaimed internationally at the Harrogate Fringe Festival in Great Britain, The International Arts Festival in Tuscany, Italy and at La Mama, ETC in NYC. Her stage plays have been produced in NYC at The American Theater of Actors, The Raw Space, The Puerto Rican Traveling Theater and The Lamb’s Theater. She holds a BA in French Literature from CUNY and her poems appear in The Wild Word, Sparks of Calliope, Quaranzine, Flashes and elsewhere. She is a Pushcart Prize and Best Of The Net nominee.
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