NOT PARIS

by John Grey

This is Providence,

Not splendide. Not magnifique.

Only a muddy brown river

that reminds no one of the River Seine,

and sunset glinting off the glass faces

of the buildings.

A moment's beauty maybe

but not exactly the City of Lights.

But there's something about

why we live where we live

as intrinsic as the reeds

that don't grow elsewhere

and the blue and white kingfisher

that skims the water for a fish.

We're year round residents, mon ami.

We speak just enough French

to live where it’s not spoken.

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John Grey is an Australian poet, US resident, recently published in Stand, Washington Square Review and Floyd County Moonshine. Latest books, "Covert" "Memory Outside The Head" and "Guest Of Myself" are available through Amazon. Work upcoming in the McNeese Review, Santa Fe Literary Review and Open Ceilings.

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Posted on July 12th 2023