(final field notes of an Urmurcan Abroad in Costa Rica, August 2024)
–afore I go,
Anoint me in some unctuous oil,
O, you rainbow bird!
Buffet breakfast comes included:
Fresh fruit, strong coffee–
Minor miracles served daily.
“Gracias & mucho gusto.”
Tonight I take the redeye
Back to life, l’chaim.
O, great speckled buzzard!
Bear me beyond yon Babylon
Back to Brooklyn where my Baby lives.
Thus, I’ve suffered this Eden
Paradise past surcease cessation,
O, winged wonders of the whurld!
Agog, agag in rapture–
Till mine gorge doth rise relentless.
My kingdom for a decent bowel movement,
O, injured pigeon on the windowsill!
Traffic, smog, summer subway sweat.
What a beautiful thunk I am thinking:
We all belong where we belong,
But betimes certain sojourns
Cause a man to count out his blessencurses.*
-- Earl Nobdy lives and writes in Exile, NJ.