(A poem by an ESL student who formerly lived in Shanghai)

       The morning is bright

       As I open the curtain.

     It’s snowing outside -

       All covered in white.

       Cars headed for church

       Make a new pattern

       Of black upon white -

       From my lofty perch.

       I choose to walk singly

       On a strip of my own.

       Well-covered I walk slowly

     To my own special abbey.

       A body approaches.

       We meet face to face.

       A woman.  My neighbor!

       I nod as she blanches.

       She likes being lonely

       Since her mate has deserted.

       She never greets people

       But misses them badly.

       In some ways we’re cousins

       I feel the same way

       But fight that old feeling

       As happiness beckons.

       Arrived at the altar -

       The choir singing behind.

       I felt peace with my God -

       A good feeling to capture.

       So I carry some Cacti

       To Laura’s white bedside.

       God’s love will help her

       And I’ll get some shuteye.