1.
New yellow lily:
last look at first blooms—close the door,
and leave for China!
2.
White flight blends with white,
cloud mountains—still a glimpse of shore.
White foam draws the line.
3.
Numbers fill the air...
A hundred mathematicians
flying to China.
4.
Artificial night:
slam shut window of afternoon.
It's dawn in Shanghai.
5.
There'll be no dark sky.
(It's mid-morning in China now.)
Back home, sunset's gone.
6.
We're chasing the sun.
My big red hat keeps blowing off—
Catch it in Shanghai!
7.
Honking horns, we're here!
Join the general exuberance—
nightfall, Shanghai style.
8.
New form: Shanghaiku.
Count the syllables—five, eight, five.
(Tsing Tao influenced.)
9.
Concerto for horn
and commotion on 'Famous Street.'
Is Henry Brant here?
10.
We've fourth floor box seats.
Car, bike, and walking orchestra—
Presto vivace!
11.
Five beeps to this street:
I'm awake, I'm alive, beep, beep!
Sounds like Shanghaiku.
12.
Just poured wet cement.
Nineteen million fresh footsteps make
one great impression.
13.
Grant us an honor
and China will reward the world
with more splendor [quote].
14.
Zig zag the colored tiles
zig zag the way to anywhere—
dodging cars and bikes.
15.
Here's one safe theory:
walk zig zag fast,without stopping—
wards off collisions!
16.
Seen through haze of smoke—
is it a dumpling on a stick?
New T.V. tower.
17.
Circles intersect:
mathematicians love good food—
round plates, round tables.
18.
Seventeen courses!
Combinatorics of more beer.
One more for good luck!
19.
Tofu, bok choy, fish,
dumplings, pickles, duck, pork, noodle,
soup, watermelon.
20.
Hugs in campus square.
Couples 'full moon watching'—we try
all Chinese customs.
21.
New orange roses.
Can I lure you with them into
favorite matrices?
22.
Old habits scatter—
find old places in the new rows:
'perfect nestedness'.
23.
Crowded city street,
behind the watermelon truck,
new Shanghai rises.
24.
Alluring city,
you flash your eyes, and wear new clothes,
I'll accept this dance!
25.
Inspiring city,
I've always loved Chinese poems.
Teach me Shanghaiku.
26.
Courageous city—
Create new beauty from old forms:
Shanghai masterpiece.
27.
I know your strong voice,
Loud serenading night and day—
has asked me for love.
28.
"I'll build you gardens.
New buildings shaped like flowers and pearls!"
These words are your song.
29.
'You'll love my cooking!
One more dish—how can you leave me?'
I'll just stay, and eat.
30.
Persistent lover,
you're up all night making poems—
I'll write this one down.
31.
Bountiful city,
your gifts overwhelm me, you smile,
and offer some more!
32.
Decisive city,
with a strong artistic vision—
you'll fix everything.
33.
Creative city,
wishes become reality.
Old new Shanghaiku:
Hundred line poem.