Palermo Girls
On the second day of las inundaciones
rain still strung in ribbons from the trees
Palermo girls step out with matching shades of umbrella
black and mauve, beige/cerise, pastel blue
and pastel blue
high-stepping between the puddles as though
the Pied Piper of Hamlin
didn’t want a bit of rat on his stiletto-booted heels.
On the second day of las inundaciones
sloshing home in the shin-high stream
both eyes gummed shut with hangover
head like a wet dog and
a pounding inside like it wants to be let out
I am sure that Palermo girls
would spit on me in matching pastel shades
if it wouldn’t ruin their look.
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Geoff Lemon