A Painting, In Progress

Beryl

indigo, the quick

slip of cobalt and wisteria

through the glimmering, brazen sunlight

casting its net in the Caribbean -

canvas

depicting the spoils

of the island: bougainvillaeas,

orchids, hibiscus, the doctor birds

ministering indiscriminately,

the sun

titanium white

above rooftops, above mango trees

laden with fruit the size of melons,

above overreaching coconut trees.

In time,

night-blooming jasmine

will smudge the perfectly straight railing

of the balcony, petals painted

open (scandalous!) in direct sunlight.