East vs West: An Essay on Cultural Differences

by Yuan Changming

During the great flood 
Noah hid himself in the ark 
                               While Dayu tried to contain it 
                               With his bare hands   

Prometheus stole fire  
From Olympian gods 
                              While Sui Ren got it 
                              By drilling wood hard 

Smart Daedalus crafted wings  
To fly away from his prison-tower  
                              While Old Fool removed the whole  
                              Mountain blocking his way 

Helios enjoyed driving his chariot 
All along in the sky  
                              While Kuafu chased the sun 
                              To take it down & tame it  

Sisyphus rolls the boulder uphill 
Because of his deceitfulness 
                              While Wu Gang cuts the laurel as a punishment  
                              For distractions in learning 

Category: Featured, Poetry

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