Reading at Night
Jiao Tong

In this city under siege from all sides
The streets have all closed their eyes
A 60-watt bulb rouses itself while others sleep
To stand guard through the dark night
In this apartment where promises are locked out in the night

Moths invade in pairs
Two fallen moths land on a page
A comma and a period, keeping uncertain distance
Doing battle on the borderline of sleep

Out of fear of being mired deeper
In the clutches of sleep
I sit straight and turn these pages
Planning underground revolt against yesterday’s conclusions

My future leaves its slumber once and for all
A story of some kind will break the siege and escape
Beginning and end fight an all-out battle in the alleys.
The shape of someone who has lost his footing
Mistakenly rushes into the minefield of reverie.