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Re-Counting Beijing

The Drum Tower
had sixty-nine steps to the top.
Only counted fifty-nine
then,
I found a place
to pee while standing.
Got into my rickshaw 
and headed home
ahead of a group,
groping for answers.
A troupe of inquisitive
Americans
invading the hutongs
of the outer city.
As I closed my eyes,
I re-counted
the steps
from fifty-nine
to one,
falling asleep
to the rocking 
of a rickshaw.

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