SAYONARA SAO PAULO

(8th Wedding Anniversary)

(Lunch had been sushi on Liberdade, a tip
From Ciara. She and Steve still dancing with Serb chess
Champs, African Republics, sharp-eyed Berettas.)

Our bus left at nine pm. It’s stopped twice,
At one, then four, nighthawks boarding in name-
Less towns; Campo Grande scheduled for dawn.

Gotham left behind, city that sparkles
By night like diamonds on the heel of your
Fist, deadpans by day with its dull veneer.

A Gotham where helicopters buzz like
Giant bugs; the real bugs breed like rabbits;
Butterflies colonize concrete corners;

People smile through pollution’s teeth, fruitsellers tout
Pineapple, guava, music. The Brazilian boom-
Boom, rhythm of the ant-hill, poised to explode.


on the bus 21/22.09.04