i) Hoàn Kiếm Lake
Six am by the lake,
mothers cradle babies
with precious tiny hands.
Aunties bounce up and down
to patriotic techno, while
runners race the sun –
sweat clinging to the back of their
necks, their morning commute
still some time away.
ii) Phạm Tu Street
Children chase shuttles,
rackets in hand –
innocent laughter
sprinkled with honks.
Shop owners eye tourists
with curious smiles – always
the same questions on their lips.
iii) The Reunification Express
Fathers with daughters on tremulous trains,
hot instant noodles slurped in tandem.
Musical chairs at every station;
attendants roll carts of corn and bread sticks.
Cà phê dangling from the back of their seats,
men shout over the clickety-clack of
contorting cars.
iv) District One
Motorbikes weave through the smoggy
congestion– a hair's breadth away from
catastrophe. Wives cross their
legs behind their husbands;
straight black hair swaying in the wind,
perfectly poised riding pillion.