Selected Poems
Gentry
Long-time residents speak rough, in curses and mumble threats
complaining about weather, wind and other unchangeable things.
Keen about newcomers who have overrun the neighborhood
and half taken their tongues. Something certain must be done.
Now traffic comes in knots of streets and tangled off roads
branded with signs, bearing names of heroes and villains
and persons, no one can remember. Carrying packed bags
old-timers seek escape in highways, leading out of town.
The road away is painted with fresh skid marks
littered to the gutters with burnt rubber marbles.
Dent worn rusty guard rails bear scars, of hasty retreat.
Migration takes shape there and utter sounds of nonsense.
But life here goes on, spiteful of boarded windows, haunted spaces,
graffiti and crumble walls. There are rabble cafes in sunset evenings
Guitars play and echoes strum, songs without any words are sung
tasting of a thousand flavors. Everyone carries and hums a tune.
complaining about weather, wind and other unchangeable things.
Keen about newcomers who have overrun the neighborhood
and half taken their tongues. Something certain must be done.
Now traffic comes in knots of streets and tangled off roads
branded with signs, bearing names of heroes and villains
and persons, no one can remember. Carrying packed bags
old-timers seek escape in highways, leading out of town.
The road away is painted with fresh skid marks
littered to the gutters with burnt rubber marbles.
Dent worn rusty guard rails bear scars, of hasty retreat.
Migration takes shape there and utter sounds of nonsense.
But life here goes on, spiteful of boarded windows, haunted spaces,
graffiti and crumble walls. There are rabble cafes in sunset evenings
Guitars play and echoes strum, songs without any words are sung
tasting of a thousand flavors. Everyone carries and hums a tune.
