East of Taichung
Greg Huteson

Switchback, switchback, mountain road
on the route from Dakeng’s trails
to the Dajia River bridge.

Gnarly switchbacks like the one
scaling Retrocession Ridge,
almost turned back on itself.

Devilish, or so I’d say.
Transmission starts to slip.
Best to pause, investigate.

On that claustrophobic ridge,
Xinshe District loudly boasts,
raves its mushrooms’ subtle notes.

Park and browse the market stalls.
Lion heads with long blond threads,
swordbelts, oysters, funguses.

Order lunch at local hall.
Chicken soup and minced pork rice
seem enhanced by Xinshe’s ’shrooms.

Done with them, back on the road.
Dips and jerks and sudden swerves,
a quarter hour coaster ride.

Farmers’ trucks are obstacles
on the slope to Dragon’s Peace,
bridge, the riverside, and ease.