St. Petersburg, Russia; Leica MP 0.72, 35mm Summilux, Kodak Tri-X © Doug Kim
Standing on a corner in St. Petersburg, cooling off, waiting for my taxi to arrive
The two models I had photographed have already left, slim legged strides taking them onwards
The day is brisk, spring is still new, still cold, snowfall hiding in shaded corners
In a few months they’ll have their white nights, summer evenings, skies full of light
But today, it is a meager sun, wanly trying to reach this city and its sparkling waters
I have not had a cigarette in a year
Passing time on a street corner, sweat drying to salt
Gear bag hanging from my shoulder, shifting from foot to foot
Yeah, a cigarette would be good
There’s a canal nearby, little arched bridge, heading south,
This young girl is crossing towards me, a light blue coat,
A shiny puffer, a size too small, maybe even two
It is stretched so tight
She has the biggest face I have ever seen,
A perfectly circular moon waxing full in the daytime
Pale face, pink cheeks, translucent blond hair,
A generous forehead, enough acreage to plant a crop
Her eyebrows are plucked to the point of non-existence
Two thin lines to conjure the memory of what eyebrows were
And there is a deep sadness in her eyes that makes my heart
Tumble down like the steep drop of a roller coaster
And the moon faced girl walks with her big moon face,
A glance at me with heavy lidded eyes,
Some great sad blue doll, sombre and plump
Wisftul eyes clouded with thoughts, barely focused on the present
It is a cold spring day in St. Petersburg
I am waiting for my taxi
A cigarette would be good
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