0 Oceans of Fresno

the way from here to the ocean
is monotony and i know it
like the feeling of my own skin.

the only way out of here
is to follow the string
of quiet mexican towns
disguised as a boulevard
of lonely palms and neon
struggling to shine
in the dust of the valley
like a procession of dive bars
where the patrons all drink together in silence.

it is the slow diablo crawl
up pacheco pass
in the heat of a valley summer
thicker than still-warm blood
even at night.

it's the sweetly pungent aroma of
garlic and green onions
that are mostly invisible
from the highway.

it is only a syllable away from death
and i ought to know better.

Watsonville is like downtown Fresno
because no one wants to clean it up.
We all just want to make it up the beach.

--Benjamin B., 35