Tang Figurine

By Elaine Barker

(Shanghai Museum, China)

Secure in her place in the museum
she’s amongst others of her kind.
Perhaps she recalls details of her firing,
how she was shaped, trimmed down,
put through fire. She was to follow her mistress
into the tomb; instead, she stands erect.
No longer young, she has come through.
Her hands, hidden beneath ample sleeves,
are clasped across her breast.
Although there’s a russet tinge to her gown
her colours are faded, her face worn.
Yet there’s a calm about her, a serenity,
and playing across her face, confident
yet a little hesitant, her lips just lifting,
the beginnings of a smile.
There’s understanding, an acceptance
and she is appropriately proud.
It is enough that she has survived.

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Elaine Barker is an Adelaide poet with work published around Australia in literary journals, newspapers and anthologies over many years. Her three published collections are: 'The Windmill's Song', (Wakefield Press), 'The Day Lit By Memory' and 'High Heels & Tartan Slippers', (both Ginninderra Press). She is currently working on another collection.