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My forever legba
sat under a back wall
toes curled over
gripping a gutter ledge

My forever legba
never cried his pain
when the great queen Oshun
passed by in rags

he took up instead
his pennywhistle and blew
through her feet an ancient memory
heels wiping the hot pavement

my forever legba
he saw me watching transparent
shango orisha come and dance
come welcome the butterfly

me, Oshun and he
we had tuk band and masquerade
mardi gras and halloween
between the betting shop and the bar

he took my ankles
she touched my shoulders
in my eyes was the sun
of a caribbean noontime

the house is red
we sang
and the door is painted yellow
but who sits on the front step

the dove returns
we sang
but the snake does not
why do the leaves dry and fall off

our names are devoured
the elephant's memory never dies
where are the nut trees planted
how near the fragrant earth

Oshun in the road
lie down like she dead
johncrows looking
from the clock tower

my forever legba
hop over the body
sprinkling water and praises
til the police come

disorder in a public square
baton benediction
how can I go home
my ancestors, your jails

my forever legba
tell me don't cry or wait
and any time I remember
just dance