NYC - Canal Street Sunday

The drizzling rain

accentuates

the hustle and bustle

of Chinatown on a Sunday.

Whiffs of fish find my nose

as I make my way

along Canal Street

to my dim sum date.

The jumble of market stalls

all colour and chatter

and the sight

of table upon table

of seafood

about to make its way

onto luncheon plates

are the backdrop

to my journey.

I dodge umbrellas

mushrooming in the rain

and paddle in puddles

I cannot dodge

because I have not learnt

the art of jostling

in streetwise crowds.

Dripping into my destination

I trip over

the New York greetings

of soon-to-be friends

and slide into my seat

round a table for ten

where a raised altar

spins offerings

of jasmine tea.

Clasping a cup in my hands

I give thanks

for friends on Sunday

in Canal Street.