Grandfather
by Luis S. González-Acevedo
The old black man downed a shot of Don Q.
The light-skinned grandson entered the bar.
“He’s my God. He is God!”
–proclaimed the grandfather.
The old black man downed a shot of Bacardí.
“Hail Mary, mother of God, full of grace!”
–he worshipped.
“Praise your God!” –shouted the bar’s faithful.
The boy was Jesus’ brother.
The old man’s breath smelled of Caribbean rum.
The grandfather kissed his grandson’s cheek
and grazed him with a beard of age and sandpaper.
God bless Don Q and Bacardí rums.
–You can find the poem in Caribbean Poet, by Luis S. González-Acevedo or the translation/modification in Spanish in Poemas Caribeños, por Luis. S. González-Acevedo–
