Arima

by Cheryl Boyce Taylor
© 1999, 2000 used by permission of the author

Mango in season
fallin on de ground
glittering in hot sun like gold
children run to fetch de best ones
fondle them like lovers

in this town of my birth
dusk frames a chartreuse necklace
in deep shoulders of mountain crest
in the swollen boredom of evening
the women have all gone inside

the men crank cars
play cards pop cans of beer
pack fishing rods

julie
the mango
split my lips in praise
i rise follow moon
to its fading light