Seeing Kris Jenner In Capri

warm italian day, capri, summer island, boutique windows reflect back tanned skin and dripping gelato, inside -crimson coral gold rings, linen fabric folded, draped, elegant, expensive, clothes no one wears except on yachts in mediterranean opulence, then there is Kris Jenner, like a native, she belongs on the other side of the glass, her bodyguard in black t-shirt hovering nearby, no one notices, until they do, they, meaning my wife, a quick elbow to my ribs, that’s Kris Jenner, and I should care because I know Khloe, Kim, Scott, versed in keeping up with flat screened family drama, but i’m sweating, ready to sit poolside back at the hotel, yet she, my wife, is feigning interest in the shop where Kris is trying on jewelry, enters to browse, to linger near, and why? as if some scent of fame might rub off on her, as if she really wants that cloistered, sunglasses, hat-wearing life, this goes on for several minutes, until finally, like a hunter, my wife gives up, leaves the tracking of prey to others, who now notice, stare, elbow their partners, as I walk away I can only imagine how this will go on and on, from store to store, as Kris ignores the tourists, buying everything under the sun.

Perfect Days In Spain

summer of 1995 & college is over, a career does not yet exist, i’m living in moraira, spain, on the coast, day begins in love, warm croissants, plums, squeezed orange juice, mediterranean lingering in the distance, watery dream, one mile winding walk to the beach, a 20 minute swim, fish market, vegetables, baguette, bottle of wine, international herald tribune, stroll back to the house, lunch might be paella or tortilla espańola, time is no matter, read the whole paper, every word, then, perhaps some faulkner, light in august or absalom, absalom!, open journal, write about a fictitious future, ideas, stories, nothing at all, afternoon becomes evening, stars, paco de lucia playing guitar on cassette, intertwined night, soft sheets, sound of crashing waves, morning sunlight rays, repeat, day after day.