The Stage Below

Looking out the window
At others looking out, too
Varying heights
    sightlines
Some looking into the room behind me
    interested in
    what I’ve turned from

A father walks his daughter down the street
    their eyes ahead
    on each other
    hands held
    stepping at a ratio of 3:1
Traipsing down the asphalt stage
Of “An Thuong 1.5”
Unnamed
Unaware

I’m an observer
Safe in my box seat
    only $250 a month

Coming down from on high a
    role
    reversal
My foreign presence on the street-stage watched
    ever so closely
Skin, hair, height a marker of the
Unusual

Preparing to leave my perch
    active participation in
    daily life

First, a pep talk