Black, White, and Brown

Post-racial: I don't think so. That's why these basketball games in Flamingo Park here in Miami Beach catch my eye. Here there are people of all colors, competing, shouting, laughing. Where else do we see black, white, and brown together? In the military? Not in our public schools, not in our neighborhoods.

As we get closer and closer to the presidential election, we will hear more from racists who oppose President Obama. 'He's not one of us', they say.

Twilight in South Beach

South Beach does not lose its charm. The game goes on until dark. The wind dies down as it always does at twilight. I watched just as the brilliant light faded to pale blue. Soon pastel blue will give way to gold; gold to darker and darker blue. The evening star rises in a sky just about to go black.

Steps from the game of pick-up basketball, a bumper sticker announces the immanence of the Messiah. The twilight is messianic though wordless, shining on us all. Blasphemy, the orthodox might say.

There is something so satisfying about a ruin, especially when flanked by a thriving plant. This art deco gem is for sale and would take a fortune to restore.

There are children in this expansive tree; none on the climbing bars. Does anyone know the name of this tree? It might be a strangler fig with the strangling root-vines cut off.

These branches are bare but in a few months they will be loaded with bloom. Royal Poinciana will burst out in scarlet.

I like to gather up what might seem like dissonant notes.