portrait d'un homme

"portrait d'un homme"



hair unkept

just past the chin

loose-knit beanie

with the urban striped print


smokes a 2 and 1/2 inch stub

of a wrinkled cigarette

as he plays the piano

an antique spinet


speaks with a slur

and the 2 and 1/2 inch stub

chuckles like a madman

but soft in every word


rings on his fingers

one nail painted black

whole life's history

tattooed on his back


eyes hold the oceans

tears don't fall

heart bigger than a fist

says it all



-samiah r. , 2004