THE CENTER

At the center of the park a kiosk
Adorned with colorful murals
Of rural scenes, a circular stage
For bands to play, music unifies
Life here clarifying shadows
Mutilated by volute vision, obtuse
Thoughts lingering near benches
Damp shade concealing reason
My importance is an illusion.
Paths radiating away from here
Going to the limits, the curb before
The abyss, the jumping off point
Launching red taxis and buses
Circulating through imagination
A tangle of roads pot holed, beaten
Broken surfaces torn up by rain
Heavy weight rolling over them.
In the center I sit, government
Justice holding a rent fabric, torn
From Christ’s frock held in time.
Roman guards beat their drums
Solemnly, I lift his cross in relief
That I may never forget nor fail
To remember this central theme
Atoning sacrifice harmonizing life.    

c) Jan G. Otterstrom F.
    November 17, 2006
    Palmares, Costa Rica