Caliber

Sorrow left the barrio for a moment
ignoring traffic signals

the city buses
full of sins and hormones

Marilyn’s blue lips
kissed by a coroner’s lackey

the Hollywood sign
happily slicing throats

a smile in Santa Monica
was the last surviving ache

if grass had eyes
would it not see this

if Toribio could talk
would he toss his gun

even joy
has its doubts