The Reunification Express

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.