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Bin-Lang

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A girl in bra and matching thong

leaned in the car window to give directions.

I'd seen girls like her on the streets of Taiwan:

Bin-Lang beauties selling betel nuts to men

who chewed them and spat, their teeth stained red.

This girl smiled broadly. She pointed and said,

"Three miles down this way, and follow the signs."

Then straightened and waved, very polite.

Her legs like tulip stems, stilettos on asphalt,

her butt cheeks winking in brazen daylight.

The pavement glinted with juice and spit.

I watched her long hair swing with her hips

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Auntie rolled up the window before mom could say

what was on her mind. And the girl walked away.