it is breezy near the mausoleum

it is breezy near the mausoleum
if i did not know what it was
it would be a pagoda
it sits atop a hill behind power line pylon
if i did not know what it was
it would be the Eiffel Tower
in front are terraced cement grave plots
they could be calcified steppes of thermal springs
sometimes you know what it is
imagine something nicer

the swallows flap their wings furiously
to make up for the drafty Han winds
not if they could choose
it is where they come from
and i am
stopped at a bench i have never sat upon
Sunday and my usual bench occupied
the Han's flowing at a tree towards me
looks like Vermont carefully
in a moment visit Japan

only reading a book can do
be witness to history
not just Taiwan's piss-story
see the rapids rush towards me
thoughts are scattered rapidly
wind scatters smoke from an unseen source
rely on odors from the breeze
and still Vermont springs
the cool maple trees of my mind

9-15-13