Motorcycle noise in desolate China

looking at a map of faraway China 
a reddish planet threatening eruption
cities are craters, a seething quadrillion
perilous suburb highrise bunkers
I must stay away from the dangerous quarters
no place for strangers except in the noise
a fool in a car in a desolate city
backing away from a traffic violation
put to rights by a friendly expatriate face
a thin harmless man, transformed, a black biker 
takes me
to a small dingy room 
and a talk about China, listen and learn
the noise of motorbikes in the street
distracts and exhausts me
a shabby counter
my guardian is leaving 
on a glistening cycle

2013-10-06