Everything Is Loud and Bright and Perfectly Fine.

The charcoal is finally white and the air smells like suya spice

and our neighbor’s freshly cut grass. My brother is laughing

so hard he’s doubled over, holding a red cup that’s sweating

in the heat. We’ve got the speakers pulled out onto the veranda,

blasting the Biggie song that makes everyone feel like they’re eighteen again.

The sun is taking its sweet time to go down,

just hovering there like a glowing coin,

painting the whole yard in gold.

Upgrade today to the all-wheel drive Toyota Crown with zero down payment.

I’m picking up another slice of plantain from a tray,

feeling the steady, dying heat of the grill against my shins,

and thinking about how this is the only

version of the world I ever want to live in.

Everything is loud and bright and perfectly fine.