because the month begins
heavy with intent
the host who lives
on a street named
after panay
an island
where classes are crevices
calls forth
from her kitchen
a generous procession
of platters:
tamales
black paella
steamed fish
wrapped in edible leaves
& ribbons of bacon
ensaymada toasted
to biscuit crispness
short al dente pasta
freely cohabiting with
olive oil bell pepper green olives
& finally
flutes of red wine
with this feast
begins the new year's
first long evening
old & young souls gather
bound by filaments
of art's whimsies
struck silent
for some moments by
variations on violin
(with sitar & bass players)
by a gifted boy whose name
cannot be more musical
than joshua bell
Photo by Anna Leah Sarabia
