ODE TO PORTLAND SUNSHINE

to sit right here,

under the Portland sun

that eye of heaven,

quothe William Shakespeare

doth not cast its vision upon these streets

quite as often as some would like

others like my sons Grammy Mary

transfer there lives to these grounds

merely because of that fact

but I bask today in his bright,

whitish-yellow glare

here on Alberta Street outside the Fuel Cafe

a sidewalk table of black

aluminum

this slatted green metal chair

carving impressions upon my backside

and here could i sit

until his glory fades

his eye winks shut upon us

as he drifts neath the western horizon

to have a peep at a different sect of this

our planet earth

to smile wide eyed at chinas men who once wield

their samurai sabers

and women who now walk free and gracefully

upon their unbound feet.

here could i sit til madame la lune illuminates

from her omnipresent spot

upon the night skies and her sons and daughters

twinkle alongside her

here could i –

oh, to sit here til then

and continue contemplation

and reverie.


© 20 May 2006 7: 22PM Portland, OR