PARKS WITHIN

Park within a park, embedding of peace
Purple flowers drifting from alcove trees
San Rafael and d’Italia benches to rest
A revolution and I remember watching
Black bats swirl in from the darkness
To feed on insects attracted by a lamp
Tragedy of some who believe in dreams
Or see visions, those who see the light
Or threaten selfishness, refusing to support
The greedy loot of a dieing planet.
Some of us are always searching, never
Satisfied to let things be, or just rejoice
In the trivial, acting out rootless ritual
Gaining courage in tobacco smoke
Bourbon or martinis, someone tells us
To get out, to leave the collapse and
We find ourselves in a Park, dedicated
To Victor Hugo in defense of the word
Surrounded by green, children playing
Elderly folks practicing Chinese exercise
Trees, broad leaf, catching the light
To give us shade.

c) Jan G. Otterstrom F.
    La Habana, Cuba
    June 3, 2007