HHH

First of the hot days
A chimi for lunch
Two men sing loudly
Along with the music
Whooping it up at mid-day

Merengue, is it?
Don't know for sure, but it's Dominican
And it sounds good
Even in this quiet place I'm staying
Miles below

My nature wants to feel the music
Without the men
I'm apparently annoyed by expressions of joy
Now in this pale man's drowse

On his way out, one of the singers wishes
Good Day, my friend
Making me realize, gently,
That I am the real problem.

And so tonight
The purple air, thick and lilac-sweet,
Is heavy with frogs, and silent thunder clouds
Take advantage of the darkness to mass
For war.