SAN FRANCISCO POETS
John Dowling
The Revolution in North Beach
The revolution in North Beach
sits at a
table
in Caffe Trieste
Poet, artist and publisher John Dowling's
wonderful watercolors perfectly capture the colorful essence of our city. His work is highly prized and is often included in the best of the North Beach Art Shows
John Dowling lives in North Beach, San Francisco
It talks to a homeless man
sitting on the steps
in front of a church
It discusses
conspiracy theories of the rich
over glasses of wine
It murmurs with others
at around table
at Specs.
They break into abrupt laughter
The revolution in North Beach
makes honorary plagues to Fidel
and hangs them on the livingroom wall
The revolution comes out of the mouth
of the gun
that sits locked away at home
away from the children.
Someone buys the revolution a drink
and they plan to go out to dinner later
It shares a joint
in a doorway
in Vallejo street
The revolution writes in a little notebook
"America is the middle class of the world."
© John Dowling
This poem was published in 'The North Beach Beat', Issue December, 2003
It is also included in John's chapbook titled "Lost Opportunity", printed 2004
which is illustrated by John Dowling and edited by Rebecca Peters.