light verse and musings from the lawnchair
First post in Catalan! This one goes out to those who too often remain nameless. Any native Catalan speaker is more than welcome to correct errors!
Compartint la vella manta
Compartint la vella manta és amor, al meu parer. Encara que siguin pobres i visquin al carrer.
La mare els coneixia, “Són bona gent amb mala sort.” Sovint és el que passa amb la gent que ve de l’hort.
La ciutat els menja l’esperit i els calés. No em preguntis pels cognoms. Són en Joan i na Roser.
This poem has taken a while to develop. Like the other sidewalk poems, the first line was prompted by a real moment on the street. A contrast that registered.
In building the poem, I realized that I wanted to transmit the images with impartiality, the citywalker as photojournalist.
The man with the doves
The man with the doves
is asking for coins.
The man in the poster
– naked chest, naked loins –
announces a lotion
¡cash-back, guarranteed!
to smoothe your abdomen
at night while you sleep.
The doves peck at nothing,
they dance and they coo
around the old man
who does not look at you.
His hat sits before him,
a basket of hope –
originally white,
now the far side of taupe.
I live with both men,
our relationship bound
by the shared stretch of sidewalk,
profane and profound.
Rhyme - With Good Reason
light verse and musings from the lawnchair
light verse and musings from the lawnchair
Flowers to feed the soul
light verse and musings from the lawnchair
Poolside Laureate 