Red Light at Bolsa Chica and Edinger
by Mary Camarillo
An egret studies the water in Wintersburg Channel
scanning for fish, ignoring Taco Bell wrappers,
striped drink straws, deflated soccer ball,
and flashing blue lights.
Two boys in white tee shirts sit on the curb,
hands cuffed behind backs, staring at the street.
A blonde in an Acura checks her iPhone reflection
and applies blush with a pink handled brush,
Men in uniforms yank the boys
to their feet, bump their shaved heads
on the frame of the patrol car
and shove them into the back seat.
The light turns green. The Acura accelerates.
The egret lift his wings, extends slender legs,
and glides over the channel towards Saddleback,
white feathers disappearing in the sun.
Mary Camarillo is the author of the award-winning novels “Those People Behind Us” and “The Lockhart Women.” Her poems and short fiction have appeared in publications such as Citric Acid, California Writer’s Club Literary Anthology, Inlandia, 166 Palms, Sonora Review, and The Ear. Mary lives in Huntington Beach, California. https://www.MaryCamarillo.com.
You can read the entire This Makes up the Sky series by visiting: https://womenwhosubmitlit.org/category/the-sky/