samba de Dios

I want to write a poem
as good as the brazilian tenor sax
blasting over the top
of this percussion rhythm
which has found me
here in the underworld

I want to write a poem
so loud
it will muffle my ceaseless hymn:
"O God, let me not fall and be trampled
doing this trip-up murderous step!"

I want to write a poem
so bright
it dazzles me blind
to the sight of this long rat-tailed line
pushing me back from the light

but all I can write is this poem
and send it on swift feet
before the dancing drums of God.

Leonora Holder de Avila lived in Long Beach, California, where she volunteered for organizations promoting women in politics, when this poem appeared.