The Hug

People often remarked that it’s madness to ship one’s furniture across the globe. Bearing in mind the great financial cost. Wherever in the world I laid my hat, I created a home. With all my belongings. Loaded with memories. Thus securing an anchor from which to explore the adventure that awaited beyond the front door.

The Hug – a name so lovingly given by friends who visited – describes my home in Beijing. 

Heavy footsteps treading upon frozen pavements  

Signalling the end of another gruelling day

Shopping bags weigh heavily

Shoulders hunched

Exhausted body

Tired mind

Cards swiftly swiped 

Heavy glass doors opening to safety

The hallway filled with yelling and banging

I make my way to the lifts

Pressing buttons

Forever upward 

My icy fingers knowingly enter the code

The familiar melody murmuring

Heralding my arrival

Entrance granted

Thanks given to the digital world

I am home

Upon entering, gratitude floods my being

Deep sighs of relief and contentment

I greet my home

As it throws its warm embrace around me

My world

Stillness bestows her riches in this realm

My stress disperses

I leave the day behind

Vibrant energies infuse the space

Shifting into gentle mode

Late afternoon sunlight

Bathing all that is with me in golden glow

Treasures and gems collected

Standing bold

Others proudly delicate

Complimenting one another

Shades and tones

A tapestry of memories 

From the East

From Africa

Europe and the Americas

Living side by side in harmonious splendour

Adorning the walls

Paying homage to adventures past

Looking out 

Beijing surrounds

Unforgiving, cold and concrete 

Do you see me? 

For I see you

Far below and out of reach

Looking in

The Hug offers me shelter

Warmth, nurturing and serenity

Way up high on level eighteen 

For none to see

Mine to cherish

Friends eagerly arrive

Settling in with joyful hearts

Hesitant to depart

The sound of laughter ever present

Meals, movies and memories

Life being shared and celebrated

Plants stand tall

Offering much needed air 

The carpet of Xinjiang heritage

Provides richness

Character and charm

An element of profound beauty

Flowers abound

Unequalled colours

The table of Tibetan mastery

Both gentle and bold

Shelters the past

Witnesses the present

The bamboo clock and painted parasols

Jars of gold leaf

The artistry of mankind

Statues of Buddha monks 

Humble in their presence

Myanmar – forever in my embrace

The water jar

Green and gold

An offering from Thailand

The glory of bamboo

Strength and purpose

Beauty for the eye to behold

Camel-hair rugs adorn the floors

Speak to me of Kashgar and Urumqi

Of desert dunes

Of lamb kebabs smouldering

Of ancient world markets

Of turbans, camels and the Silk Route

The medicine chest of Chinese heritage

Deep secrets of the past

Held firmly within each drawer

The ginger jars - classic blue and white

Fullness of body

Standing in enriching clusters

Lamps alight

Exuding glorious warmth

Wooden chairs from bygone era

When men celebrated the hunt in opulence 

The American bed of dark wood

Offering peaceful slumber

Photos

Memories abound

Kitchen walls adorned

Loved ones

Smiling upon my every day

Forever present and home

The view

Spectacular cityscape

Splendid sunsets providing closure to each day

To each adventure

Out there and far beyond

China. My home. My Hug