In Vedado lovely senoritas
of summer swing and sway
ripe mangoes and melons
as they stroll in style
down calle San Lazaro
to el Malecon at sunset

where machismo
struts and swaggers
in sleeveless shirts
and lingering laughter
to the beat of the breaking waves
and rolling thunder

I finish my mojito
and join the throng
celebrating at sundown
the rites of rum
and Yoruba rumba
rumba rhythm

paz tomas