Gui Shi
SMOKING
I smoke a cigarette
under a street light
and the cigarette
is smoking me.
We are two smokers
don’t need any language
we are connected
just in this way.
Smoking each other
smoke curling up
in strands and spirals
glistering, swaying
sparkling grey whips.
I am smiling
standing
at the same time
I connect
with the next cigarette
fish out my lighter
and
have a cold
shudder.
12/19/11
Tr. MW, Oct. 2015
Gui Shi
LONELY BEER BOTTLES
every hot night watching the Europe cup
I need a few beers in the fridge
let them get chilled
later when the time is ripe
I take them out
and open their caps.
They heave a sigh like they do every time.
Then I watch the game
and finish the beer all the way.
At intermission
I go to the bathroom.
At this time, there are only
these few empty bottles
left standing.
Through the glass
they watch commercials.
6/22/12
Tr. MW, Oct. 2015
Gui Shi
IN THE MIRROR
ax watching
his face
skinny, dried up
all his life
waiting to chop
people who part their hair in the middle
5/26/13
Tr. MW, Oct. 2015
Gui Shi
RIDER’S INN
he sees in his dream
a few merry thieves
jumping out of himself
and some hired thugs
they each have a smoke
they buy some provisions and pickled vegetables
they make it back into his body
before he wakes up
1/13/15
Tr. MW, Oct. 2015
