This is California

Dec. 18, 2012

This is California

This
     is California.

Doors open on the left
     At California.

Doors open on the left,
     To the smell of crushed cornmeal,
          Batter deep frying at dawn,
     At California.

Doors open on the left,
     With the sounds of street vendors
          Shoving their carts,
               Inches at a time,
Ancient Mayan men selling candy colored wheels,
     Women the color of the midday desert
          Gifting coffee to tired young boys in the morning,
     At California.

 Doors open on the left,
     To a crowded labyrinth of homes,
     To young lives out of sorts,
     To symbols of fear in scrawled spray paint,
     To laughter united over language,
     To children,
     To mothers,
     To fathers,
     To people,
     At California.

 Kedzie
     Is next.

 Doors open on the left
     At Kedzie.