[Newspoetry] a poem from sammy

[Sam Markewich 2]

Gloss on Multi-Culturalism
by Sam Markewich


In the States the people of Africa listen to Steely Dan.
The Chinese eat KFC.
Laotians eat tortillas.
And the Natives of America weep the salt of a buffalo's tear into a heap of trash.

This happens in Puerto Rico too
Though, not in Laos or China.

In China Mosquitoes retch at the sight of blood.
And in Laos at the smell of it.

But, in Baghdad, where the rain falls backwards towards parched and wrinkled
clouds, headlines fill take-out boxes, which dab up the tears of Indians.

In the States spices are enjoyed by the whites.
Oakland Mayor Jerry Brown Makes Crime Top Priority.

But, in Leningrad only memories abound.

And in the heart of Moscow there is an old Chief in a deserted stadium who
listens perpetually for the sound of a foul smelling whistle.

Tumbleweeds roll backwards through equally stubborn wind.

When the pay-off begins the kick-off departs, and Fagen waxes the legs of a
Kosovar woman nostalgic and sings about Rudy Giuliani and mu shu.