Ganluo, A One-street Town

After leaving Ganluo 
I’ve been to many places 
But when I get the chance I always go back 

One street from south to north 
makes up this county seat 

An October morning 
I walk into a roadside noodleshop 
On the street cars rush by endlessly 
Faces of strangers hurriedly pass 
The leaves that have fallen 
are also never at rest 
Just as they’ve settled after being rustled into the air 
by the wind from the passing cars 
another gust carries them up again 

Ten years ago when I ate a bowl of noodles 
I had to nod to people many times 
and make numerous greetings 
My frame of mind at that time was 
like those leaves silently lying on the ground 
The more I ate the more settled I felt 

After ten years 
I have also become one of the strangers

GANLUO, A ONE-STREET TOWN