Ruffle the Caribbean waves

Sending their blessed cool

To my fifth floor outlook whence

I watch the Afro boys

Run and jump off the pier,

The sunfish sailors race

In a long leisurely line,

A huge pontoon under sail,

A ferry cargo-ing fares,

Bathers clustered in a shady

Corner of the hotel pool

And coconut palms a-sway:

It’s a “typico” Cuban day.

Blackbirds soar across

The al fresco cafeteria,

Alight on a plate of melon,

Dance on it,  pick at it

And squabble about it

Until the diner approaches

And we consider whether

We should advise the lady

That her fruit has been pre-

Tasted and appreciated.

At last pity prevails.

We warn her of her visitors’

None too sanitary intrusions.

She settles for an espresso.

]]> https://bevtappan.net/2016/07/07/cuba-poems-at-breakfast/feed/ 0 1318 https://bevtappan.net/2016/07/07/cuba-poems-mixed-memories/ https://bevtappan.net/2016/07/07/cuba-poems-mixed-memories/#comments Thu, 07 Jul 2016 12:51:54 +0000 https://bevpoems.wordpress.com/?p=1303 What lingers in my mind

Of my seven days in Cuba?

Flamboyant poinciana trees’

Scarlet spreadsheets overhead,

Umbrellas shading pedestrians

From the lasering tropical sun,

Smiles and shouts of “Hola!

Bienvenidos a los Americanos!”

A rainbow bridging a bay,

Skies at sunset orangey-pink,

The leisurely arcs of vultures,

A teal green, royal blue Caribbean,

Low hanging mangos and guavas,

The exuberance of syncopated song.