Poems about Costa Rica

Here is a poem I wrote about one of my housemates here in Costa Rica ... Enjoy!

1: Pan y café para la lora*
*Bread and coffee for the parrot


“Ro-sa! Ro-sa! “Ro-saaaaaA!”
she calls before the keys even turn in the front door.
It’s already late morning, and Lorita is restless.
Old ladies are high maintenance,
and this one has lived too long
to practice patience any longer.
“Ro-saaaaaaA!”
The assurance, “Ya me voy,” only causes
this old lady to scream louder. So you thought
old ladies couldn’t scream?
When breakfast is late, drastic measures
must be taken. The kettle sings,
the water is ready, poured over freshly
ground beans, strained Costa-Rican style. The smell
reassures Lorita, but she still fears her staff
will underestimate the urgency of the situation.
“Hola!? Hola? Ha-llo?”
But it’s coming … the fresh bread dunks into hot
coffee, the rich brew seeping up the thick
slice. Mmmm …
breakfast is served.