Travelogue #1-Western Siberian Wedding Poem by Jim Norausky

Western Siberia,

Soviet Union dissolved,

Western capital welcome

oil projects abundant.

Old oil town, five story shelters, sandy streets.

One restaurant, good for all.

Reservations for Saturday

wedding underway, music playing, laughter.

We look at them, they look at us

could have been Wisconsin.

Dollars and rose to head table

two bottles of champaigne in return

we are part of the wedding party

we danced with the bride.

Leaving, father of the bride shook hands.

'Would you like a video of this evening?

One hundred fifty dollars.'

Nouveau riche, big bear alert, watch your shirt.