Marc Ellis - Honorable Mention
Florida Postcard
FROM:
The Balcony of a Ramada Inn
During a Lightning Storm
Somewhere in Central Florida
TO:
Mr. Wallace Stevens, Esq. (1879-1955)
c/o The Hartford Insurance Co.
Hartford, CT
POSTMASTER: PLEASE ADVISE OF FORWARDING ADDRESS
Florida Postcard
A strip of marsh,
A few bare trees,
And white flames, dancing
on Spanish roofs.
"But what's in it for me," yawned Mr. Chang.
Merengue bands or solitude;
Pretty brunettes, whom I suspect, shower nude;
Shall I scrape some poetry from the sidewalk for you, Mr. Chang?
"No. Not unless it's Po Chu-i.
and he resides in clouds, not poetry."
But tonight, I have Wallace Stevens,
And white Flamenco flames, dancing
On Spanish roofs;
Marc Ellis: Occupation: Immigration Lawyer. Pre-Occupation: Composer, Playwright, Poet. Born: Texas 1952. Lives: New Orleans. Plays include The Pollster (Finalist Southern Playwrights Competition), 1992 Contemporary Arts Center New Orleans. Music includes Fields of Vision, by the Half-Moon Duo, Chelsea Records, 1985 LP.