page 123

2. A vegetarian in Hong Kong

Pallid with commitment to the sanctity
of life he makes the seventh at a table
of carnivores and waits anxiously

for the menu. Are the vegetables braised
in chicken stock? Confiding he confesses
'I don't care much for vegetables'. While

the others indulge in Thai steamed fish
spring rolls black bean beef abalone king
prawns and pork fried rice he picks

diffidently at the ambiguous mess
of pottage. How does he survive?
Once that was said to me in another

context. Cultivate the death of appetite
and finish like him. Afterwards he will abuse
his body with icecream and french fries.