PRETENDING

We spread out traditions
from our checkered past
under a setting sun

deep in the park
where birds are found
pretending to be in the country.

Grandparents rolled the dice
survived a titanic voyage
seasick and full of hope.

It was the music
always music
when fallow times followed them here.

Melodies in the streets
turned grain to flour to pasta
filled bellies fueled fingers—

nip of vino to soothe
homesick heartache.
Ubiquitous aromatic teas

lingered above lessons
of tempo and signature
new understandings of scale.