Jaén

broken glass and torn mattresses
and life

scavenging dog and slum apartments
and life

olive groves and sun-melted university
and life

we wander
what to Northerners
is a lost city–
bliss.

this is real travel.

half way through my journey
we’ve bothered to see what
most others don’t.

the castle on the hill is
almost mocking of the average tourist.

Look what you’re missing!
the thousands who live here and
are ignored by the world know.

and now, so do we.
discount food store
for the working poor
where Northern delicacies are
readily available
?2.49 for fresh local cheese!

Jaén makes a
mockery out of my travel bug.
but at least I understand
and know it exists.