"Do you know the way?" [shi]

From Poland & Russia & Romania   three girls
      "Do you know the way to Union Station?"

it's 3 in the morning   they've sauntered from Georgetown
      we stand on 11th Street Northwest

their train leaves at 7   their time's more than ample
      I gesture in an easterly direction

awaiting the last bus   to take me home north
      the lone traveller in dark cannot rest



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Chinese poems, late summer, no. 5