Brighton Beach

Brighton Beach, the Russian Jew’s idea

Of what Americans think Russia is like

The little Odessa

On the Atlantic shore ten or so miles

From Wall St

A place for bathing and beach life

Cafes and restuarants, food from all the world

So many nationalities are melted here

And everyone smokes, even the waiters

In their breaks will find a bench to smoke

Old couples in big hats put up umbrellas

Against the sun and light up

The Mermaid Parade on 23 June

So scantily clad on the floats

At night you can dance with seafood clothed girls

In Brighton Beach the only thing

That will set you apart

Is to vote for Obama, for although

They all live most liberal lives

The fear of socialism from their past

Haunts them, even though they know

America is not like that, their fear lives

And drives their vote

While being scantily clad on the beach

Published in The Lark