Only In Long Beach

By Jackie Joice

Only in Long Beach, do coffeehouses and gallery storefronts
reflect the character
of devoted artists.
Only in Long Beach does the aroma of roasted coffee beans and early mornings
creep through cracked
windows of the East Arts Village and awaken
the creative muse.
Only in Long Beach do the sounds of paint strokes
the chiseling of wood
words spoken by poets
and the sass of cymbals
create diverse rhythms
for a diverse community.
Only in Long Beach, does rainbow glitter bounce off rooftops and sparkle
with the sun and the moon.
Only in Long Beach, murals of whales dance in
blue animation while the spark of inspiration seduces
tourists to illumination.
Only in Long Beach does light float like
incense smoke and evokes the spirit of the city to shine