Direction Poem by Joan Xie

So as we all know, animals never ask for a direction.

A lion never walks to another lion,
Hey, brother,
Would you tell me how to go to Lotus Cave at Blackwind hill?

A pangolin never pauses at the crossroad
waiting for another to pass, then asks,
How far is Plumtree Island from here?

A lark never wastes its time looking around
and asks another one, What's going on?
Is this the same persimmon tree I stayed last year?

Only you need to ask for a direction.

You clear your throat, walk up to a passerby,
Excuse me, Sir
Where is the Precious Tower?
"Tower? " He hesitates, "Walk five blocks towards
east from here, you will see a highway entrance,
pass under the cement bridge, you can…"
You scratch your scalp several times,
"Which direction is the east?
If you don't mind."

Only you will be asked for a direction.

"Have you ever heard New World?
"Ah, yes, " You nodded in enthusiasm,
"From here, walk five-hundred-meters towards west,
your New World shall be there."