The Drive

by Anisa Abeytia Yamani - Aquarius

1.

I drive the streets of LA
more like a baffled tourist,
rather than a Los Angilino,
a richer vacation than
any one country could offer.

2.

LA,
my neighborhood/
tourist attraction.
Take out your camera and 
take a picture with a native;
smile.

3.

You don't have to travel to Tibet
anymore to reach Zen.
LA, instant Mecca.
Mt. Sinai: Hollywood hills.
Hindu shrines reside in Bellmont shores.
America isn't just for Christians 
anymore.

4.

As I roam LA,
I pass city signs
feet away from each other,
this county's buffer zones.

5.

Stuck in Traffic
405.
Every creed
sharing,
connected in the misery
of grid-lock.

6.

Venice Boulevard.
In-n-out, Mexican
Caribbean, Indian cuisine
or Halal meats?
Walking distance,
where should I eat?

7.

They migrate south,
behind the "orange curtain,"
sandwiched between
Mexico 
and the rest of the 3rd world.

8.

LA's not a nice place 
to live anymore,
leave it for the ethnics.
I guess they took back Aztlan.

9.

Ex-Jesus freaks
now
Hare Krishna
as orange as Cal Trans
bang drums
as they meander down
Third Street Promenade.
Birth sign: Aquarius
Date created: 2000-03-27 15:29:10
Last updated: 2021-03-03 14:41:58
Poem ID: 55268

You need to log in to edit this poem if it is yours.

View more poems by Anisa Abeytia Yamani.