Borden Street

 

I saw colors on Borden Street

With a mixed variety of scents

And accents of foreign notes

Not contained by a fence

 

Welcome to culture’s den

Come partake of the fare

The musk of the working class

Pervaded every home there

 

From second-floor windows

Backyard views left and right

Clothes drying on laundry lines

Like painted sails in sunlight

 

Evening veranda visitations

Patrons in their porch seats

Lawns cut; gardens groomed

Time for rest, smiles and greets

 

Everyone strolling or sitting

At the end of day’s stand

Exchanging gossip and chatter

All willing to offer their hand

 

No one felt disenfranchised

We were different and same

With curiosity and respect

For all the places we came

 

I learned from Borden Street

Of the joys and the strife

That are common to all

Who share the spices of life

 

s. paul (May 2022)