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~Sophia's~ Choice

When The Hurricanes Return

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by
~Sophia~
, 05-01-2009 at 01:23 AM (2647 Views)


When The Hurricanes Return

it must have been because
(not when)
the birds and my eyes fell from the sky

that I needed something to hold and
rode at dusk on Encuentro beach

sorrel tarantula running down
the cricket’s evensong

past girls with legs like herons basking
past boys with plantains in their hands

the downbeat of hooves in the wash
raising the hackles of a resting wind

they call him Tinto - I call him Tronar

Spanish patois, mustang surge
face in his mane, remembering

I used to bareback. Maybe in June
when the hurricanes return.

-----------------------------

(that's one of my paintings)

Updated 05-01-2009 at 01:43 AM by ~Sophia~

Categories
My Poems About Haiti and the D.R.

Comments

  1. Virgil's Avatar
    Oh I love this Sophia. I really do. The language is just wonderfu, the imagery (except for one line which I'll get to) and rhythm. It just flows to that huricane so line so beautifully. It's the sentence structure of that long sentence ending with "bareback" and followed up with the much, much shorter sentence concluding it. I love it when syntax creates feeling and meaning. That's fine poetry.

    The one line and image which made me laugh, and perhaps you want that, I don't know, was this: "past boys with plantains in their hands." Though I think you want the sexual connotation of that image, I thought it was a off. Everything is so elegant and that image nears the vulgar. I guess the contrast made me laugh, and if that's the effect you were after, then keep it by all means. Otherwise it felt a little incongruous with the rest.

    Oh I loved the preceding image, "past girls with legs like herons basking." That was perfect.
  2. ~Sophia~'s Avatar
    Hi Virgil! LOL... yes, I intended the "plantain" vulgarity. The boys here have adopted the North American "thing" where they grab and hoist their crotches. That just makes me roll my eyes every time I see it (which is more often than I'd like).

    What is that all about?????? I must be getting old. I just think it's so unappealing, the farthest thing from sexy I can imagine. Are they reassuring themselves their penis is still there? Is it public self-gratification? I don't know. Anyway, I wanted the contrast. I'll look at it again though.

    So happy you like the poem and thanks!
    Updated 05-01-2009 at 11:06 AM by ~Sophia~
  3. Virgil's Avatar
    No I have no idea what that grabbing of th crotch is about. I am far from knowledgable on what is in pop culture these days. Perhaps given all the STDs out there they're checking to see the if the thing has not fallen off.
  4. qimissung's Avatar
    Is that your painting? Because I know you paint. It's gorgeous, and the poem, too.
    Updated 06-06-2009 at 09:11 PM by qimissung
  5. paperleaves's Avatar
    Dear Sophia, I don't know how you do it. Your imagery is so unique, presented in a form that can only be savored with the scenes you portray.
    And may I say, LOL, to your comment on the crotch grabbing, the best line ever..."Are they reassuring themselves their penis is still there?"
    LOL, my friend, and great work.