earth note 25

south beach, miami beach

rastafarian browns reds greens
pluck left handed strings
lonely island love songs
black beaked gulls listen
a jamaica wail in silence

across the avenue a crucifixion
of bob marley's waiting in vain
spits on shiny hoods
jaguars lamborghinis mercedes
valeted at the curb
starched waiters spinning
christian dior armani calvin klein stuffed
and smiling

rasta brother beats his guitar
like a drum
walks into the shadows
the gulls left listening

--- e b bortz

(published in The Exchange, #5, 1997)