Christopher Luna
 

Richmond Hill, Queens
 
 
 
 
 

I. There better be some strawberries left  or I’m gonna hafta beat somebody up I’m not playin!   fascism breathes    behind Aryan dentist’s mask   on Lefferts Blvd.   brutal stubbed fingers   invade bruised mouth   battered like a virgin                date raped by frat boys                on homecoming weekend   a red circle catches the light   spreads across asphalt   where moments earlier   a split head had lain   police tape yellow black   please stand clear   on Atlantic Ave.   boy walking a low motorcycle   exclaims his approval   for an ass stuffed                 into shiny black vinyl                             she looks over her shoulder at him                             indignant feigning surprise Sit down. Tell me your name. I don’t have a name.     here pigeons rule   boys play cricket   Holi girls throw pink powder   ex-marine drunkard holds court   neath sagging pile of newspaper   hanging precariously from the News Stand awning   Monir tells her not to smoke around the children Look at homeboy draggin’ that bag.     the mechanic laughs    as the blonde dog   humps his leg   the pigeons don’t know   one more please   someone SHOULD NOT               I say . . .  Do you know what would make this the most beautiful day? If we got some bird seed and threw it down and then the birds would come into our hands and we could trap them in the house.     II.  Wednesday afternoon first day of school sharp dressed teenagers gather across the street before a brick wall             shouting Dahnn points out that many of the high school students              we pass on our walk are dressed all in red Yo Carmelo,            Hey pa wut up! Check it! We friends & shit right well anyways you have no clue how much I like you and I can’t keep it inside of me no more. I wanted to know if there would eva be a chance for me and you cause nigga I like you a lot but if you say “no” its all good I just want us to stay friends cause if I can’t have you as my man at least just let me have you as a friend. Answer my question whenever you come around and finish thinking. Love Always, Domonique P.S. Come to my D-Party Love Ya!  Atlantic to 112th  make a right pass two pairs of girls perched on two porches braiding one another’s hair a woman ambles toward the corner a blue stripe in the middle of two yellow stripes which run down her enormous back DEAR CARMELO,           WHAT’S UP BOO? ANYWAZ I REALLY LIKE YOU! I LIKE YOU EVER SINCE I SAW YOU. I THINK YOU ARE SWEET, CUTE AND MAD COOL TO ME! I WOULD LIKE TO BE MORE THEN A FRIEND TO YOU. IF YOU WANT TO. THE REASON WHY I WANT OUT WITH HECTOR WAS BECAUSE I CAN SEE YOU MORE. BUT I REALLY LIKE YOU. I WANT TO KNOW IF YOU WANT TO BE MY MAN!? IF YOU DON’T I GUESS WE CAN BE FRIENDS! P.S. LISA SAID WHAT’S UP       XOXOXOX LOVE, DOMONIQUE   an old woman in a black kerchief                         lined with rhinestones bends in her front yard          to sweep leaves                      from the walk             the rope that holds Ganesh round my neck loosens                         and he falls to the ground                         I recover the pendant                         and its leather strip                                     and continue on   only to pass the silhouette of a woman with curly hair             sitting in her minivan              as she leans forward              speaking sternly into a headset: God works in mysterious ways Yo       Wuts up Chickenhead?                          Chillin? Anyways           Wuts up with you and Domonique? She likes you alot! So will you go out with her? Please say yes! She won’t shut up!   All day your name is in every sentence ohh my god you should hear ‘bout the shit she wants to do with you. Elwel don’t like me & I don’t like him so leave me ALONE!                                               Jessica

  (c)Christopher Luna 2003