Old Havana Ekphrastic Poem based on the visual art below the poem Chosen Award 2023
I sit to sing along with my friend.
“Uh huh uh ya
Old Havana ya
Tap my toe and bring your soul
sit but need not rest
Sound of a guitar, sound of an aeroplane
no need to look up, the reflection is the same
uh uh uh ya
old Havana ya
huh uh ya
like the outline of you next to me
it was once the way things used to be
grove with a friend, no need to talk
separated by death, no need to balk
harmonies cross the great divide
souls flow together like a lyrical vibe
Music opens the soul
Music is the only goal
Old Havana ya
Bruh uh uh ya
friends dying
women long dead
I know how you feel
No need to re-peel
By the beat of my drum
Don’t ever numb
Ah ruh ah huh
Old Havana ya”
A young boy walks by, listening to the music.
He pauses
Then turns back
He’s not looking at me, but my friend
“how does your one guitar sound like an entire band?”
I open my mouth to reply, I don’t understand.
Words cut short, by my friend setting his guitar right down through my hand.
-Norma Rrae
Norma Rrae 
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