LatinosUSA

Looking Through The Windows

The windows are aglow.
A cacophony of colour
giving glimpses
of other people’s lives.
Snapshots into different worlds.
Shapes still
and moving.
A little exposure
sometimes
a mystery revealed.
Stories to be told
from different imaginings.
A cacophony of colour
Tati-esque
as if Monsieur Hulot
has taken his vacation
with Mon Oncle
in the twenty-first century,
until the lights go
out.

First published in Visual Verse, October 2019

~~

Doing Nothing

If happiness is doing nothing
lie back and enjoy it.
Watch the rush
to earn more.
Watch the rush
to spend more
from your window on the world
or read about it
or dream about it.
Lie back and enjoy it
while the moment lasts
turn your nightmares into dreams.

First published in Visual Verse, January 2019

~~

Inspiration

Outside the window
the man stands,
his hunger abating
as he ingests
the emptiness
inside.

He breathes it in,
then he’s on his way,
fast as the food
being served behind the glass.

Soon, the barstools and tables
will be peopled,
the juke box will be playing
above the buzz
of conversation.

Brushes and magic,
that’s all it takes
to fill the space
with life.
Hopper stands back,
satisfied.

First published in Medusa’s Kitchen Ekphrastic Challenge, November 15 2024

~~

Window Shopping

We can only look in longing
through that misty glass
knowing
it’s all beyond our reach
unattainable
as rain in a drought
or sunshine in a downpour.

Umbrellas and parasols
are good for both
however distorted
the atmosphere
with heat haze
or drizzly mist.

But however distorted
it’s all too clear
the rest is unattainable.

First published in The Brussels Review, Summer 2025

~~

First Times

He forewarned me
about the eccentric landlord
who, for unspecified reasons
had permanently locked the front door
of his boyfriend’s flat
leaving a cantankerous sash window
to be the only way in or out.

A new experience, indeed!

Later, he made toast
and asked me if I liked marmite.
I’d never heard of marmite
and so I misheard marmalade.
He asked me if I liked it
spread thick or thin.
Of course, I said thick.
A new experience, for sure!

Later, we all went to the Grand Hotel
for afternoon tea.
It was very grand
with waiters dressed up
like penguins.
Very strange
but there’s a first time for everything!

And a last.

First published by Phoenix Z Publishing, January 15 2023