a response to Yin Ge’s acrylic on plastic sheet J-001 and J-002
a call from across the pond
he’s with her, again
whispering in her ear
tales of your failings
a flight across the sea
but first a phone call
promising to her
a new leaf, a fresh start
a cab across the city
and a key in the lock
turning the knob
then turning the page
with a glimpse across the room
at him with her
embracing in your bed
you turn and storm away
with just the slightest hint
of the old limp
Shelly Bryant divides her year between Shanghai and Singapore, working as a teacher, writer, researcher, and translator. She is the author of three volumes of poetry, Cyborg Chimera, Under the Ash, and Voices of the Elders, a pair of travel guides, and a translation of Sheng Keyi’s novel 《北妹》 (Northern Girls) for Penguin Books.
Shelly’s poetry has appeared in journals, magazines, and websites around the world, as well as in several art exhibitions, including dark ’til dawn, Things That Disappear, and Studio White • Exhibition 2011. You can visit her website at http://shellybryant.com.
