Table Not For Eating

Cousins and aunts brought dishes

and grands-their words, which
couldn’t be made out, their toys
to make a mess. At 7p.m.,
steam would flow up from the
pots being carried over
to the long dinner table.

The Come-Up

Well-decorated restaurants
serving cultural foods, wine,
playing soft music,
instrumental. Bar and
grills overcrowded
as the scent of ribs

A Good Song

Way before the beat
really drops,
you're deep in, fully
attentive to all
horns, keys,
chords being played
and right when you