s o...o l d

on a day known for Lemons
and Strawberries

marks blur and clear the canvas
that refuses black vehemently
turning Lambton Quay into Cuba
one red dot at a time

the Mexicans want me on their side
Yahya the Afghani poet has other ideas
Italian, Greek and Spanish are just sunblocks
Dan says

but it is Monique
it will always be Monique
the one
the first
"three hundred and...its wet"
her gentle face sparkled
as she spoke of her dad
his liver and Ruffo

"100 pesos Senorita!"
I am touched as I kiss her on her cheeks
the night before Christmas

you never forget your first they say
She runs to the ATM