Angel Drinks and Sings
for Kyla

i.
how can talent attach itself
to drug and drink
as it does, when it does

when it drips down like wine
when it’s what’s divine

when we’re drunk
on our gifts already

add poisons
though already filled
with gifts, with talents

intoxicated with these
inebriated bees

ii.
out of what instruments
out of what evil, art comes
rusty trumpets, chipped saxophones

what violins, violas, violoncellos
boxes, cases, battered
like this woman

encountered one day
on a street in Paris

knew we were Bahamians
same roots

battered like a box, like a kite
she could fly still
her tail in the wind

blowing


© Obediah Michael Smith, 2008
11:32 p.m. 24.06.08