BOUGAINVILLAEA

Bougainvillaea cascading purple

passioned over

ancient stones

dripping semen padded petals

sunsets exploding orange and

lavender.

Waves of sound

the wail of a saxophone

children home to thatched and

shuttered shacks

to be bathed and bedded

as the waves

press the shore.

The evening tourists

arrive

on their value vacations

with their white skin

and newly purchased straw hats

appraised cooly by dark skinned bajans.

Black, beautiful bodies

ready and willing

broad shouldered, slim waisted

an energy wash

silouetted against

the ocean’s sheen.

A lady walks homeward

many hats upon her head

like a leaning tower.

Tomorrow she will be back

to sell her flotsam and jetsam

to eager buyers

while the rum is drunk,

making intimates of

everyone.

The sunset beckons

and turns from mauve to plum

sails are wrapped.

We walk along the beach

full of color, sound and scent

the promise of our

evening

before us

as full as

warm sand.