Gogyohka 10.10.09

Why does everyone
doctors and patients alike
look sick and tired
in this hospital?
Must be the Taco Bell

Passing the playground
at the Orthodox school
Replaced by wood and thatch
and black Jewish hats
sitting with plastic cups

and maybe
folks have children
so they have someone
to make faces at
blooga blooga blooga

don't tell
the expectant mother
that October
is a month
of waning

black woman profile
round visor hat
knit in purple shades
teeth in her smile
breaking open a pomegranate

out of the gray sky
emerges
a magenta rose
on a single thorny vine
lipstick on concrete

different sounds
different size
different lives
on different days
hearts beat in harmony