Passage004 - S B Smith, Marrakech

ON THE WAY TO HESSLER STREET

On the way to Hessler Street
Trying to stroll but stepping lively
in the late Spring heat.
Summery blue paisley shirt letting
the breeze flow through
the grimy glistening welcome of
Summer too early, dampens
but doesn’t sodden expectation.
Trickling red pyramid arises in the vista of the journey.
Foretold by the little pile of clothes on grass
as young proud parents oversee
the infantile giggling of innocent pure joy.

SBG
5/23/04

 

TRY TO REMEMBER

Part of my morning prayers today
included a thank you to God
for being w/ me when
I went to that bum golfer’s place—
that piece of trash that screwed
around w/ Bill’s wife-- & I had
my biggest wrench hidden
in my Army jacket.

I was drinkin’ booze, earlier, in
his parking lot, tryin’ to
remember his apartment number.

Thank you, Lord, for not
lettin’ him come outside
when I was pushin’ on his door—
My hand was sealed to that wrench,
& my heart was full of hate.

Jason Williams