Stones of Dutch soldiers, Flatbush
photo by mike marcellino copyright 2009
Flatbush
by mike marcellino
Flew into New York
on the wings of Peter Pan.
Flew into New York
on the wings of Babylon.
A perfect trip, eleven minutes late.
Coastal Jersey the same,
belching chemicals and oil,
industrial desolation
in the boot deep down.
Flew into New York
on the wings of Peter Pan.
Flew into New York
on the wings of Babylon.
On the heels of Jupiter,
not a bad act to follow
on the right a Santa Anna’s
banner,
lighter green an' red, white
tricolor,
blazoned to the fire escape
of a third floor, dirty red brick
tenement,
a place of West Indians,
Flatbush,
a perfect spot for Jimmy Cliff.
Mariachi band fills the air
Saturdays.
Flew into New York
on the wings of Peter Pan.
Flew into New York
on the wings of Babylon.
Soft good mornings in English,
more likely Patois
from darkened skins
standin' outside temples
ol' ladies an' gentlemen
takin’ numbers outside
for dinner
in a church
a redemption,
after
a revolution
into
a resurrection.
Flew into New York
on the wings of Peter Pan.
Flew into New York
on the wings of Babylon.
Walkin' on grave stones
a 17th Century soldiers'
worn blank
in this once
'Vlacke bos'
Dutch land plain.
Flew into New York
on the wings of Peter Pan.
Flew into New York
on the wings of Babylon.
Jupiter on the right now,
not as bright
on this clear
and quiet night.
Flatbush,copyright by mike marcellino 2009
You may listen to the recording of "Flatbush" by folk band Mike Marcellino on our ReverbNation music site or on the music box at the top of this blog.
