Crossing the Gobi by train at night…
Swaying in rug covered bunks to metal wheel rail music
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Instant coffee bitter tongue, vodka breath, breath of Mongolia in our pillows–goat milk, desert wind–wine made from the milk of mares;
Sudden snow blows through open window turns to rain to stars spattered across sky and sand without separation
Blue neon solo station
appears sudden in empty landscape blurs and byes; a man–
green signal light flashlight in hand–looks up as we pass
I reach to him stretching bare arm in night wind as far as I can
Regard with gratitude
Transmute adversity
Cut directly
Equalize
(Photo by Jon Schechner)