 Share
|
Email
Print
|
Last night our kitchen made music.
I think it was you, Tío Pancho, singing
in the language of dishes and spoons.
Steel pots carried the bass, their meter quirky, slightly askew,
but the tines shimmied a swinging tune.
Last night our kitchen made music,
reminding my father of island stories:
tales of spirits that signal their comings and goings
by speaking in the language of dishes and spoons.
Glass keens in their presence,
and light shatters when they leave.
Last night our kitchen made music,
silver chiming, swallowing light. Were you that stranger
in the winsome dark, murmuring tales of passing
in the language of dishes and spoons?
Were we your first farewell, Tío Pancho?
It’s not fair. I wasn’t ready to hear you go.
Last night you made music, salsa rhythms,
one last beat, in the language of dishes and spoons.
AP
|
Submit Your Photos of America at Work
Send us your images of friends, family, and neighbors on the job. We'll publish the best. Read more › |
How Hollywood Says "I Love You"
The Wolf I Used to Be...
Video Documentary: The Impact of a Principal
James Fallows on Obama's first term, Raymond Bonner on the death penalty, Christopher Hitchens on G.K. Chesterton, and more
Browse back issues of The Atlantic that have appeared on the Web. From September 1995 to the present, the archive is essentially complete, with the exception of a few articles, the online rights to which are held exclusively by the authors.
See All Back Issues: September 1995
Obama to China's VP: With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility
Electric Cars Emit Worse Pollutants; Babies Understand Everything
How to Spot a Lie in an Online Dating Profile
S.F. Mayor Wants Tony Bennett on Every Radio
Not Every City Can Be the 'Most Bicycle-Friendly'
Why America Keeps Getting More Conservative
Join the Discussion
After you comment, click Post. If you’re not already logged in you will be asked to log in or register. blog comments powered by Disqus