Irakere [The Jungle]

¡Hola mi Gente!

If one could "occupy" a poem, then that's what Nina, who celebrates a birthday today, did. She occupied/ colonized the following poem. I could argue, but it would be of no use.

For you, Nina, because we’re refugees -- refugees since time immemorial…happy birthday.

* * *

Now [no. 23]

In some remote
rain forest,
under the approving eyes
of the ancient Orishas,
we took each other,
rudely,
like animals of the jungle.

Teeth, fingers, lips
painted with the fruits
of our child-like foreplay,
we had our roll
in the tangled underbrush
and emerged,
scratched and bleeding,
staggering, jaunty, and
rowdy with contempt
for all those timid animals
who still make noiseless love,
undressing in
the darkened chambers
of their shame.

-- Eddie