JAMES CROAL JACKSON

Roma

excess heat
and still
we walk
cobblestone
streets
new to us
tell me something I don’t know about you
we’re at the point where we no longer 
ask questions just exist in the state
of I know you yes we are in the city
of lovers we are flooded by tourists
who are in love like us but showing it

*                     *                    *

today
we went with familiar favourites–
you, carpaccio di manzo and me,
lasagne. the server demands
a tip in cash. I oblige because
when you’re not in your country
you start to feel like its citizen
and you don’t want to return home
to a country that is not yours,
no one’s.

*                     *                    *

at the farmacia–
from killer
shoes your feet
are cut. I buy a heel 
bandage box and
ask for Neosporin
which isn’t there.
I start mi ragazza–
the pharmacist says
please, English
is fine