First time in Hong Kong

First time in Hong Kong — no matter where you stare,
The buildings rise like walls, blocking the air.
You share your table with a stranger or two,
Space is a luxury; they make do.

In the temple, no coins, no incense to burn,
Just scan with WeChat for blessings in turn.
Technology hums where old stones still stand,
The future and past held hand in hand.

The sky’s a sliver between towers so tight,
A glimpse of freedom, but never quite right.
The air feels thick, with concrete it’s laced,
Breathing here feels like running a race.

Noise and commotion, a market alive,
Yet somehow that chaos makes the city thrive.
A blend of old Europe and Asia’s worn threads,
A city that lives in the eighties instead.

It’s crowded, chaotic — contrasts collide,
Hong Kong’s a whirlwind you can’t set aside.
You leave in a rush, but one day you’ll find,
You long to return to its pull on your mind.

6.01.2025