New Lights
Poem by Jenyth Jo, Recited at the Jazz Concert December 1, 2018 and The San Ramon City Council Meeting on December 11, 2018.
Standing high by the Memorial Park flagpoles
Gazing down the curve of Bollinger Canyon Road,
I see San Ramon swag atop the posts of light
What shapes are taking form in the fog?
I see silver, crystal and gold
Flattened chevrons that capture light.
In the morning they glisten, speaking
Different languages, suggesting many symbols.
The gold coins drape across
A Bengali sari of silver.
Or, Christmas gold garlands
Adorn ice-coated branches
Maybe it’s the trim around
A Cheongsam collar
Or the foil covering Hannukah gelt.
This festival of lights now means
Many things to many people:
I see Diwali, Las Fallas, Hannukah
Lunar New Year, Christmas and Kwanzaa
[I see a landing strip for Santa
And all the dreams he represents!].
Now we have silver, crystal and gold
Flattened chevrons that reflect our light
In the evening, from all angles.
It’s as if we’ve earned our badge of honor:
Bay Area’s Best home for families.
Or, oh, now I see:
The swag is the top of a giant
champagne glass: to toast the future
Let’s light a future for all.