Mei
beautiful as this country
that bears yr name
took a ride with me on the blvd
from C st to Holme Ave
to find three nail guns in my father's garage
when the old neighbors died
eldest aunt bought the place
rife with americana
in the basement Smith-Coronas
multiple plaques from Adams Lanes
two Super 8's in their case, a juke
I was there to help my father
stucco Mary's second story
then got her life story
she was from Yugoslavia
stuffed a grocery bag of peppers
from her garden
into my arms
and kissed me
rapidly
