I like the story and images in this poem; I think the title could be more
seductive.
kol tuv, Ryfkah
In a message dated 9/21/01 4:55:01 PM, [log in to unmask] writes:
<< The Palacio de la Salsa thrummed,
spilling light and loud tourists from its
guts in vomitous tides that reeked of
rum and sweat. Tropical tans in designer [great]
clothes flooded the Vedado.
Two doors down, strategic between the
Riviera and Ache, stood tight knots of
laughing jineteras. A damp chill blew off
the Malecon, kissing bare shoulders until
their nipples puckered in response.
They all wore tight lycra of bright colors,
high heels and seductive perfumes proclaimed
their politics. Carnets clutched in beaded bags,
eyes slid constantly sideways, searching for
the special brigades in every corner.
Everything is illegal, but it is all still done.
They flirted in tongues; Italian, American, French;
ready to dominate the beast for mojitas and the
promise of U.S. dollars. Drunk extranjeros trade
gifts for a taste of mulatto skin.
Colon cemetery is full of the weary dead,
fodder for the sustenance of a hungry nation.
The jineteras don't want to be Che, sacrifice nothing
as a price for honor. Rehabilitation vacations,
Villa Delicia never buried anyone in fertile earth.
So they stand in swaying groups along Melia Cohiba,
educated women of Cuba, and feed their babies [another great image]
with forbidden fruit. They shake defiant asses to
the driving salsa beat, and pluck the guilty from
the palace gates like cutting cane. >>
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