-Quequechan Testament-

1.

shawled in mourning

black out there, —  two Portuguese

widows speak with reverence across the fence,

the subjects of God, of laundry and bread.

–– and from the sites of commerce

gulls glide panting above the restaurant spoils

as homeward, lovers untangle the knot of sleep

and cats awaken to the same curiosities.

such is the city's opening vocabulary.

2.

how then to interpret

the language of one's own salt.
I'm not the proverbial fish-out-of-water
I once in defiance pretended to be.

but as it is, if my residence is questioned

I'll be ready with the answers.