27 Months
for Angelica M. S. Garcia

what is she up to for Christmas
up to or down to or up with

maracas she makes and takes about
a bunch or two

strings through handles
strung over an arm
others over other arm

strong to carry these all day
from day to day, around Granada
around down town

with her family makes them
brings them down from hills
they live high among

these shapes like globes
these glob-like shapes
shake and make music

what seeds, what beads are trapped inside
inside her, until released recently,
a baby boy

nine months pregnant,
nine months old when mother and I met
nine months ago

what has she given him
what does she have for him
in addition to breast milk

with which, when we had tea
her T-shirt was wet

at the table where we sat
in that coffee shop, several times
she folded her arms and squeezed
to ease the pain two breasts too full caused

is it for relief as well
that I squeeze poems out
springing in me similarly like well water

is she well, is her son well
what presents had they this Christmas
I myself have one to open, I'd forgotten

God remember them
when Christmas comes and when it goes
do not leave us, do not leave them

something to make to trade for money
air and light and life
thank God, are free

at times light and at times heavy


© Obediah Michael Smith, 2009
12:49 p.m. 27.12.09