brooklyn summer by Kelly Tsai

brooklyn summer  
(for Adia)

by Kelly Zen-Yie Tsai 

adia sez’ no brooklyn summer is 
gonna buy her a house, she’s walked 
down these streets in her breezy dresses
with her power jewelry on 

she’s brought men to the honey pot 
and led them to dip their fingers in 
until dawn, as the dj spins the cuts 
on the horizon over fort greene park

	smoke of grilled meat and mango incense rising, 
	capoeiristas kick their heels in the dust.  no indoors exists, 
	no fluorescents.  cars park on tree-lined streets, 
	courage swollen in the hearts of every girl, every boy

	in search of sweat 
		and a slow wind 
    	before the end of the night

adia sez’ no brooklyn summer is gonna buy 
her a house - but this summer, i don’t want 
a house, not now, maybe not ever

i just want to feel his hands on my hips, basslines 
strumming the air like the wicked wings of city birds, 
i want to feel the crash of thunder and laughter 
leaping in my very throat. 


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