Published in NoVa Bards Anthology Wildflowers twirled and dipped from ballroom dancing With the storm’s winds Are now still and dew-laden And golden at sunset The first chord of birdsong Awakens nature’s symphony And tiny three-pronged feet Form footprints on the sidewalk Awaiting erasure by sneakers and strollers

The town spills over with a slow-paced sanctity My heart aches for the sun-faded stone cathedrals Hallow be thy name Yet hollow are the halls Around every corner antiquated piety bursts at the seams Yet no one to sew them up Church doors remain locked Tired tourist feet amble to gift shops Our conversations punctuated by rain drops Our hunger satiated by savory meats and fabes beans Sheeny oil pools in my stew from the holy trinity: Morcilla, tocino, y chorizo After la sies

Cheap grocery flowers purchased after church Lead to songs after the storm Ice cream after dinner And hugs at midnight

Babies with bandanas Sweaty thighs and salty upper lips Whetted palates Squinty eyes and crows feet Naked blonde toddlers doggy paddle...