The entire morning
A hundred people crowd into a smallish hall
As if crammed into the hold of a border-running boat
Among those languishing in boredom awaiting a visa
A pretty student of ballet
Becomes the greatest beauty spot in the place

Before seeing the consular officer
I’m already a bit hollowed out
As I see among those who’ve received visas
There’re practically no healthy young men
Just the two
An oldster with his wife
And a midget who doesn’t come up to the window
The US is scared
Really scared
Now they’re frightened of men
Wah-kao! This bearded official
Who looks more like a Muslim
More of a terrorist
Than me
Without a moment’s hesitation
Resolutely rejects my application
Could this be one orangutan begrudging another
At a glance espying a deep-seated
Ill-will in my eyes
Immigration threats
Exhibit such signs
So, the Tang Dynasty’s Li Bai wants to emigrate to Persia
Don’t you crack fucking international jokes with me

As I stalk off
The pretty student of ballet
Is rejected by a black woman at another window
And she’s really happy like a duckling straining to fly
Leaving the place chirping for joy
Somebody in the line makes the proper determination
“For sure her parents were making her go to America…”