The You Of Artemio

Artemio it turns out is no different
from you or me

of course sometimes he can outrun cheetahs
other times a tortoise flings by

or you will find him explaining to grain
whose stalks roll rampant

silence is over-rated he says
lifting the sea with a hammer

giving his girl rosebushes instead of roses
the wind too is a victim

the appearance of a comb in life
is not to be doubted

sticks fight sticks in the barrio
their shadows observed by Artemio’s hands