now gilded by tourist dollars
shine forth between the crumbling facades
of the grand buildings lining Nevskiy Prospect
once-great; many times fallen and restored
the Russians bide their time
making the new capitalism in their inimitable form
the wild, wild East with no vigilantes
while the beggars line the makeshift walkway
the metro, pride of Leningrad
displays ornate light fixtures for the common people
the once-famous Russian navy
sits rusting in the waters of Kronstadt harbour
while the Hermitage museum
can't find all of its treasures
that was the Soviet Union
meander past your wandering eyes
dark, round, slanted eyes or slate-blue
individualism has erupted from its slumber
look out for yourself! especially when crossing the street
