Poem

Shadow of Breath

What a thing we like to make of that

Shadow of breath.

It is the missing block four

Of any prestigious residence.

The way we avoid going outdoors

On a certain summer evening of

Ghost festival.

It’s the way we get confused

By welcoming shop signs saying

“Celestial pleasures” or “eternal living”

Nestled between tuck-shops and stationery stores

In the middle of Shanghai Street.

I heard that people went there

For quality timber and for craftsmanship.

When I was a kid I used to think

They were toy shops – all those

Suspended paper houses, paper dolls,

Paper shirts and even mobile phones.

I didn’t know until the day I saw

Someone burn them right after purchase.

I didn’t know what to do

With the packet I received after the service:

A coin, a candy, and tissue paper.

So much like a riddle, or a prayer.

How strange it feels.

It’s absence we don’t talk about.

Everywhere there are telltale signs of it,

Kind reminders

Of its proximity.

Copyright (c) Jennifer Wong 2008

now read the lesson plan 

Lesson Plan

Part I – Pre-reading exercise (15 minutes)

Divide the class into groups of four, and ask them to discuss any Chinese customs they see in HK or in Mainland that they find interesting. How much do they feel part of the Chinese tradition?

Examples:

o Wedding banquet

o Dining/yum cha

o Festivals

o Funeral

Part II – Reading and discussion (15 minutes)

Read the poem ‘Shadow of Breath’ (5 minutes)

Sharing in groups of four (10 minutes)

o What do they think the poem is about?

o The poem mentions about death. How is it different from a typical death poem?

o The poem mentions ‘absence’. Absence seems to be a very abstract idea, but here the poem is full of description and objects associated with absence that help the reader visualise. Do you think it is a good idea to write about emotion in this way? Why or why not?

Part III - Coaching (by teacher; 15 minutes)

Synopsis of poem

o Narrated in a (young) first person voice, the poem builds up a sense of wonder towards the various superstitions in the Chinese society, then describes the way one confronts the incense shop in Shanghai Street. This is followed by the description of a Chinese funeral, and while there is no direct reference to sadness of relatives and friends, the poem ends in a sad tone about the proximity of death.

Perspective: the poem is told through the first person narrative (“I”). It helps to make the reader identify with the poet and what he/she sees. We notice that this is the voice of a teenager / young adult, from the way that death sounds quite far off. 

Poetic devices:

1. Repetition: read aloud the third stanza. Why is ‘made-with-paper’ idea repeated in the stanza? What do you think it suggests? (3rd stanza)

2. Tone: while the poem talks about death, it also contains a humorous tone when describing Chinese customs. Can you spot this and how is it important? For example, why does the poet compare the incense store to ‘toy shops’? (2nd line, 3rd stanza)

3. Climax: the climax of a poem often brings about a revelation or insight. In this poem, the climax comes up when it is unexpected. Discuss with the students which line/stanza they consider to be the climax, i.e. the most powerful focus point? Should the poem end there? Why or why not?

4. Imagery: when describing a Chinese funeral, the poet chooses to focus on the packet given to every attendee after the service. Why? Do you think the same messages can be conveyed if the poet chooses to focus on other aspects of a funeral, e.g. on the kow-towing or the weeping?

Part IV – Brainstorming and assignments (15 minutes)

In groups of four, discuss and come up with a humorous 4-line poem on a Chinese wedding banquet.

Language

Tense / structure

‘Used to’ + bare infinitive for past views/beliefs

Vs

Present simple to describe current views/beliefs

Lexical chains about (Chinese) customs / artefacts

Ghost festival

Suspended paper houses

Paper dolls

Paper shirts

A coin

A candy

Tissue paper

Poet Bio

Jennifer Wong is a young Hong Kong poet and author of poetry collection Summer Cicadas.

She is delighted in the way poetry and travel connect, bridging distances and cultures.

She has participated in various poetry festivals and readings, including the Man International Literary Festival.