Night Exchange, Beijing, 2013

On the crowded sidewalk:
a woman, flaunting
her Louis Vuitton handbag, strides

past an old man squatting
in the doorway of a noodle shop,
his eyes cast down.  Incense burns

on his makeshift alter to Buddha.
A thin quiver of smoke corkscrews
above his head, then catches

in the folds of the woman’s skirt.
Chanel perfume ripples
in her wake, drawing his glance

upward – to her, to the night sky.
Cleared of smog, it dares him
to remember the moon.

9 thoughts on “Night Exchange, Beijing, 2013

  1. Allison Thorpe

    Kathleen, a wonderful comparison of rich/poor. Love the smoke catching in her skirts and the ending is exquisite! My favorite of yours.

    Reply
    1. kathleen Gregg

      Wow! Thank you, Allison! When I visited China in 2013, I was so struck by the crazy juxtaposition of old & new culture – past & present – so much energy and resilience!

      Reply
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