Los Angeles

the angels here 
have pigeons' wings
blue collars 
washed in sweat
the common salt 
in tears
tongues swirl 
in a stew of cultures
singing asphalt songs 
in the midst of seagulls
bebop atop 
the San Andreas
a humble plate 
of beings

From The Language of Saxophones, Pocket Poets Series #57. Copyright © 2005 City Lights Books.