THOMAS H. BENTON OUTRA VEZ-"THE COTTAGE BY THE SEA"

INSPIRATION POINT BERKELEY

“If you despise this state so
why did you come here?”
I come here to remind myself
The meadows are designed
by Thomas Hart Benton
Underneath the bridge
white sharks are preying
It is a golden door to Singapore
The freighters are bringing
rare mushrooms
The mountain lions are yawning
There are walkers, cyclists, and
runners on the trails
I never knew there were so
many shades of trees
The cows and I are black
I don’t even mind the radio
towers
From here
you can see everything
but the faults.

Ishmael Reed