in this kingdom

china town

walking around

but you already know that

by now

 

carcasses hanging in windows

jade green neon lights

 

i fade into the night’s long shade

 

signs i can’t read

i concede my ignorance

 

point at a beer

and drink it

it is strong

and i pass on having more

 

a scrawny looking dog

hurries past

lifts his leg and targets

the cold cement outside the bar

then moves along

 

god it’s just another night

another sidewalk

in empty space

photons move at the speed of light

but amid all these structures

commerce is the only movement

 

i think the molecules and atoms

are expediting the decay

so they can get out of here

and be on their way

move to the center of the galaxy

and be sucked into a black hole

anywhere but here

 

i look at the hanging headless carcasses

and order a bowl of rice

drown it in soy sauce

and just point at the picture of a beer

 

dial a cab company

and simply say,

“get me out of here”

 

i tell the driver i will give him a $50 tip

if he will drive me to the nearest beach

and not talk to me

 

standing on sand

in darkness

i strip and run into the water

come out and let the contents

of my flask warm my bones

 

put on my clothes

and listen to the noise of crashing tides

i am alone

i light a cigarette and say,

“i am home”

 

***