Tony GUZMAN

---

sunset celebration


closing the book is an endless
task

wild-eyed Bahamians
roar up in a bronze
beater flaking law
body of an exposed
narrator in the trunk
mouthing non-sequential
instructions to the
wondering ground

a spectral door opens
and you're jarred into
an alternate reality of
indigo drumming
and membrane
mottled with cave

in black venture grog

loom barracuda
finding consolation in
the elfin reef system
glint says
cauterizing sands
in the shade of spears
for some time
there follows crotons
RIVETED
lore of that
delicious middle
like green neon strap
the one you remember
literary

that's when pirates
sauteed in
the intense intelligence of
bougainvillea on
the veranda of things
doesn't register
oriental screen depicting
wild roosters
ricocheting off
monotonous splotches
penetrating forgotten rum
ship's carpenter's
still swelling pegs
"that's entertainment,
I suppose"
metaphors weathered
with khaki shorts
even Picasso's cat has
a jaded jury
cut out for me

shed frames heart
the butter of attrition
alright

a missing verse
thank god!

O sumputuous lacuna!
O beautiful conditions!
O infernal aperitif!

but it doesn't jump through
therein lies the tale

ambidextrous shadow puppets
long distance dialing
dusty keyboard
dark Madonnas exotic
or at least shop girls
tanned legs bubbles
undulating aqua windows
seance a straw

I honestly theater
"no green flash" (I didn't
think
she knew about that)

yes, but do you sign
your name to it?



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