RED

Grant Street, I look down the hill
at your parade of red banners.
Gung Hay Phat Choy
You certainly are all dressed up
for the New Year.

Your banners flutter row upon row
like row upon row of red flags.
Red papers flutter hand to hand
as hand to hand do red envelopes.

Welcome the year of the boar
with a tangerine and an almond cake,
with a dragon and with drums,
with loud, popping , red firecrackers,
with jackhammers...,

but don't forget your umbrella;
don't forget to wrap all your costumes
and floats in clear plastic.

--David Joseph