This poem was inspired by a photograph of the same name taken by Phil Freelon, whose exhibition, “Structure“, is at the Craven Arts Gallery in Durham until June 15th.

Networking

All the wooden boats are docked
to start the day. Men and boys work
their fingers through the fine green netting
so fast the camera catches only lime blur.
The women watch—babies crooked
in hip creases—studying the way these men,
their men will provide. This is happy hour
in Accra, where no one makes a three-minute
pitch or pushes cardboard in your hand.

~Pamela L. Taylor © 2013