Sài Gòn – Người chạy xe ôm đêm

Saigon night, red light, green light
I wear an old helmet
The engine runs steady, waiting for customers at the corner
Gasoline smell mixed with cigarette smoke
Taking the girl home to district seven
Taking the drunk old man from the beer hall
They get on, say nothing
Only point the way with a hand
My father once drove here
Died in an accident when I was sixteen
Tonight sleep hides again
I start the engine - chase it through the city
Three in the morning, the road is empty
I stop the bike and drink a sip of iced tea
Watch container trucks pass by
Each one - a human life
Near dawn, the last passenger gets off
Hands over money and says "thank you, uncle"
I nod, do not answer
Only watch the headlights fade away
At daybreak I go back to my rented room
Lie listening to cars out on the highway
Tomorrow night again, ride again
But now - I sleep