I saw this man on the Tube today
He was happy, merry and above all gay
He swirled around and walked back and forth
Before he alighted at Earl’s Court
I sat back down and thought to myself
These unearthly thoughts that he was an elf
Not those silly mini Santa Claus things
But something out of Lord of the Rings
But he alas had no long hair
Or Elvish ears and longing stare
The only thing that remained in him
Was the beauty and grace and body slim
Hast I now saw him my ol’ soul mate?
Or is this a fallacy, am I the bait?
Thus image burned upon my skull
As Knightsbridge, Hyde and Green Park go
In Piccadilly I got off
And there he was, was he a moth?
We stared at each other, and I foresee
An interesting day indeed
He recognised me immediately
And greeted me with smile and glee
His voice was like that of a fresh spring breeze
I heard the wind flow through the trees
He spoke to me about our fate
And then took me to Notting Hill Gate
We went to his pad and there it was
A beautiful qin, with silk string buzz
We talked for hours, the sun crossed the sky
I was so enchanted, I couldn’t bear the goodbye
He played Pingsha and Liu Shui too
The strings slapped and the sound so true
He sang some songs, he knew many
He seemed to understand plenty
His eyes were on fire as I glanced in them
His hands were smooth as he slid on his thumb
With a flick of his middle, the crane took flight
With a flex of his index, the dragon showed its might
With a glide of his ring, the waterfall rang
With a push of his thumb, the phoenix sang
The room was transported to the mountains and the valleys
The tone was so coloured like paintings in a gallery
Each phrase he played had end and rhyme
As I forgot all concepts of space and time
I cared not for the ticking of the clock
I just did not want his subtle playing to stop
Soon I heard rain, wind and loud thunder
Outside was dark but the light shone from yonder
Intoxicated by his music, I could die here
And have no more regrets, resent nor fear
He did not once glanced in my direction
But his music embraced me as I felt his satisfaction
Oh, where were you all this time, my friend?
Like a hidden jewel in the mountain river bends
A tear graced my cheeks, as I fell asleep
Overwhelmed by my experience, I was beat
That night, I had pleasant dreams of clouds and mists
And woke in the morning with a hand on my wrist
I saw his blond hair from above the quilt
The bed was warm, there was no guilt
He arose from his slumber and his eyes met mine
Our soft warm gazes meant everything was fine
That day we spoke more about the qin and music hold
It was as if we had know each other for years untold
I took his qin and played with my feet on ground
He closed his eyes as he embraced the sound
His qin was simple and plain yet soft
The sound I created was high and lofty
After my repertoire was spent, it was night again
He smile at me and we both retired, with fingers pained
I lay in his arms and soon drifted out
The room was slient, there was not a shout
The next few days, we travelled the city
In parks and by rivers we played our little ditties
I dare not part from him, for fear I will shed
The tears of Zhong Ziqi, a moment I shall one day dread.
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