China Ruby

Here we are again we’re eating
Dinner at this Jewel of the East
It’s a weekday banquet marked by
The dull shine of that industrial-strength teapot
My face, impossibly elongated and
A plate of food unfinished.
The room, one of many in a row
Supporting each other steps from the street,
Could collapse at any minute from the stewed steam
Wreathing the air above our heads from its thin thread
sewn to the top of our tea.