Calvino's Marco Polo says there are only these species
of cities:
"those that give their to form to desires, those in which
desires
erase the city, or those in which desires are erased."
and spindly-sharp as a Joshua tree,
gasps under
the mistletoe of gentrification,
the brisk promises of
equal opportunity
French fries,
strip malls stark with geometry,
primary colors and reliability,
and
stars with steady light.
The berries of generica redden
on vines choking
in winter sun.
