Still Life with Gaza
It’s day six in Mexico and the coffee jar is
empty. We walk down the dusty road to the restaurant
as the sun cries in the ocean behind us
the beautiful ocean, seagulls crying.
We Google Translate how to ask for coffee but the
wrinkled auntie with red sunglasses for eyes only offers us a
Bacanora cream shot. She uses her hands to tell
us that it will keep us awake longer, that it will
streak our blood with sunrise, that we will walk the dusty
road back to the house with great energy. Then we will pass the
house and walk into the ocean. And we will keep walking
until the saltwater settles in our eyes and the
blue crabs cling to our breasts. We will walk for eighty-six miles
under the ocean and then
our bones will turn to sand with the sunset.
We drink the Bacanora cream shot. It turns our
blood to concrete red, redder, redder than the
flowers in the vase on the
blue plastic table we set our empty glasses onto.
Watch a reel of this poem on Instagram.
Photo by Malcolm Lightbody
rothpoetry
A most interesting poem.
I love this line… We walk down the dusty road to the restaurant as the sun cries in the ocean behind us…
Chuckster
I liked this poem, thanks for sharing. I watched the visual, which did not any anything to my own personal visuals, but was ok. Thanks for sharing.
The Amethyst Lamb
Wow. This poem is great. I really really enjoyed reading it. You have great talent!
Annabel
This is simply a master piece, Layla! Your prose delightfully balanced out the storytelling, the creative imagination, and the delicate sentiments. I praise you on such wonderful talent as a writer! 🥳
mosckerr
Duh. Just without Hamas.
Yelling Rosa
Nice articles.
These are greetings from the man with invisible buttons.
Have a lovely weekend.
Belladonna
You have a way of maakingus feel our words. So beautiful Layla
AmyRose🌹
Wow. How to put into words the emotions this poem evoked? It’s not possible except I was truly moved.
Layla Todd
Thank you deeply, Amy! 🌹
Molly | Transatlantic Notes
This immediately made me think of my time in Italy (a long, long time ago) and it made me feel like I was right there again!
Layla Todd
Thank you, Molly! 🌹
Cindy Georgakas
Well done Layla. Your words are palpable! Superb work💕
Ka
This moved me to tears. This is quite possibly one of the most beautiful poems. I want to hold its hand.
Layla Todd
Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts, Ka! 🩷
michnavs
I so adore this Layla❤️
Keep Calm & Drink Coffee
I saw the reel on Instagram first and I congratulate you a lot!
Obviously I fell in love with this poem and how coffee can become an important means of communication in any language.
THANK YOU Layla!
Layla Todd
Thank you deeply, Claudia!
Ingrid
Evocative writing, Layla!
Yolanda - Aspergers syndrome - Poetry - Photography/edit - Art - Mental illness
Cool window ^^;
Dawn Pisturino
Simply beautiful, Layla!
Baydreamer - Lauren Scott
Wow, Layla, I can feel the sadness in this poem, so palpable. A gorgeous piece! ❤️
Layla Todd
Thank you for reading, Lauren! 🩷
AmyRose🌹
WOW!!! POW!!! So powerful with such deep meaning, Layla. How I loved the imagery in this. How you use words to create is astounding. Thank you for sharing your heart’s passion with us!! xo ❤️
Layla Todd
Thank you for sharing how this poem made you feel, Amy! 🩷
Michele Lee
Many elements to enjoy, including bringing back many Mexico memories for me. I felt like I was walking and seeing with you. “Blood to concrete”… I felt that line, too! 🩸👏🏻
Layla Todd
Thank you deeply, Michele! 🩷
SelmaMartin
So beautiful. Enjoy 😊 your imagery is stellar. Beautiful pic you painted. Thanks.
Layla Todd
Thanks deeply, Selma! 🩷
Eugi
Wow! Exceptional visuals and I love the emotive feelings in your poem, Layla. ❤️️
Layla Todd
Thank you kindly, Eugi! 🩷
Eugi
My pleasure, Layla.
Pooja G
Wow, such a touching and heartbreaking poem!
Bartholomew Barker
Love poems about walking into the ocean. Well done!
(BTW, I’m unable to click the “Like” button. It just shows the “Loading…” message. I assume it’s because you’re self-hosting.)
Layla Todd
Thank you for letting me know about the like button, Bartholomew, and for enjoying the poem!
MsHazyBrain
Heartbreaking poem
Layla Todd
Glad you felt it!
barbaraleaver
I feel love and loss in your words with expression in someone’s hands
Layla Todd
Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts! 🩷
Steven Baird
This is achingly gorgeous.
Kym Gordon Moore
Oh wow Layla, this is so sad and heartbreaking. Your message resonates with great empathy. Thanks a million for sharing my dear! 🤗💖😊🙏🏽😥
Layla Todd
Thank you for reading so beautifully, Kym! 🩷
Kym Gordon Moore
My pleasure Layla. 🙏🏽 This conflict is so sad and disturbing. Why, why, why??? 😱😫😥
Frank @ Beach Walk Reflections
I can see the scenes and feel the sadness. Ouch! …. Well done!
Layla Todd
Thank you, Frank! 🩷
Karima Hoisan
I think you made the right choice of beverage and your journey after drinking it, I felt so viscerally. Beautiful continuity of thought and visual clarity. It foated like a boat at sunrise, anywhere in the world, in that moment. Exciting writing Layla….I enjoyed taking it in.
Layla Todd
Thank you for this beautiful comment, Karima! 🩷
eob2
There is a sadness to this, I don’t know why I read it as such. 💙
Layla Todd
Thank you for sharing how this poem impacted you! 🩷
D. Wallace Peach
Stunning poetry, Layla. I just loved the emotion underlying it. There’s humor and adventure holding down a deep sadness.
Layla Todd
Thank you for reading, Diana! 🩷
D. Wallace Peach
I read this again this morning and then read my comment and have no idea how I found anything but despair. Was I commenting on a different poem? <3 This is gorgeous and sad, Layla.
Layla Todd
Thank you, Diana! We’re all feeling so much right now, that’s for sure. 💕
D. Wallace Peach
💕🕊️
satyam rastogi
So nice 😀
Lisa Orchard
Very visual poem. <3
Layla Todd
Thank you, Lisa! ❤
Lisa Orchard
You’re welcome!