Vox Populi
A curated webspace for Poetry, Politics, and Nature with over 6,000,000 visitors since 2014 and over 9,000 archived posts.
Rose Mary Boehm: Poinciana and then some
Green canopies aflame with
an unreal red, lit by the dying sun.
Yonhi in the plastic chair, blue baseball
cap pushed back. He’s seen it all.
Shifts of twelve hours. He’s nearly
done. Always polite.
Smile, Yonhi.
Help the maid carry
that horrible little dog across
the road; the fat señora from
705 needs the trolley
for her shopping; the kids
from 1102, who only last week
put cucarachas in his portero’s hut,
drip seawater in the hall from their
wet suits and surf boards.
Not sure how he’ll pay
the rent he owes since December.
Looks forward to the cantina,
a few drinks will set him right.
His big brown hands fold and unfold.
Knuckles almost white.
He never means to hurt his wife.
~~~
Copyright 2026 Rosemary Boehm
Rose Mary Boehm is a German-born British national living and writing in Lima, Peru. Author of two novels, short stories, eight poetry collections and one chapbook, her poetry has been published widely. Her new chapbook, ‘The Matter of Words’, was published in June 2025, and a new full-length collection has been slated for publishing in 2027.
Discover more from Vox Populi
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
So much truth in so few words. This is why I seek poetry when the world seems to have gone to shit. Thank you.
LikeLike
I always love reading your work, Rose. This reminds me of “The Doorman” by Chris Pavone – except you managed to say it all in a few stanzas instead of a whole novel! (Not that I mind reading a whole novel.)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Vivid but quiet. I like the way the burdens of his days build, how the portrait builds. Thanks Rosemary and Michael
LikeLiked by 1 person
Isn’t Rose Mary great? I love the rich imagery counterpointing the domestic violence.
>
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank YOU, Jennifer!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Rosemary: What a superb poem! It’s as if John Houston was directing its cinematic action, and a great cameraman taking in the local color, not a significant detail gone unnoticed. You’re the magnificent musician and beating heart of this “song…”
LikeLiked by 1 person