a dark heart escapes

a pairing: L'anneau by Joan Miró, 1961

L’anneau (The Ring), 1961, by Joan Miró (1893-1983), Catalan, Spanish painter, sculptor, ceramicist.

A visitation

You visit with a friend and the sweet aromas 
and Kenny G in a downtown café, 
your battery-run prison secure in your pocket, 
its cesspool of dark hearts sealed and locked 
behind a pane of glass. 

And mindful of the blinking, breathing, 
bodies taking up scarce café room,
fogging up the windows,
you attempt with your voice 
to dilute the bile 
bubbling in your pocket,
while you and your friend discuss 
the grim soul of the world 
over a cup of espresso.

And as you tell of those who simmer 
in stews of mayhem and murder, 
the gentleman at the next table, 
eating a cinnamon bun, licking his fingers,
blinks, and it doesn’t occur to you to think 
he's about to approach, stand over you and say:

   I’m one, and I hope somebody stabs him in the face. 

   I’m one, and I’m glad he was gunned down.

   I’m one, and they brought it on themselves. 

   I’m one, and what did you think decolonization meant? 

   I’m one, and yes, by any means necessary.     

Then turn to walk through the door, 
into the slow flow of the street outside.