Tiny Varadero Beach Shells
for Claudia

i.
shells at the end of a long bus ride
these shells and bathing suits
bus brought us to, took us from

long beach bath, longer beach walk
sand of the desert, sand of the beach
like fire to step on, to walk through

blue Jell-O waves to bathe and to play in
the races of the species of Cuba in the sea

ii.
tiny shells for tiny palms
opening and closing
hearts spit blood, exchange for life

cigarette spoils all that, all this
instead of pen in finger tips
instead of kisses, cigarettes, two lips

time always running out
flowing in, flowing tides


© Obediah Michael Smith, 2008
2:47 p.m. 13.06.08