light ghazal ("in China")

This evening I stroll   all around a lake   in China
the girl with me born   in the year of snake   in China

we mention Wang Wei & the Li Sao   over dinner
fresh centuries flow with ancient heartbreak   in China

the charmingest damsel I meet is   a Tibetan
for English lessons   her email I take   in China

musicians from India   fetch we thence   to China
Allah alone knows what might be at stake   in China

that Raphael scrawls   occasional verse   you've noticed?
seems like an old habib he couldn't break   in China