At the end of a hot summer day,
cooled by an evening breeze off the river,
they take the stage to close the festival.

With stoic efficiency,
they raise the temperature again:
three prowling guitars lead the attack,

supported by a growling sax,
drums and congas,
the jugular pulse of the music –

“Done Gone Blue” and “Mas y Mas”.
The crowd takes the pulse as their own,
swaying and bouncing to rumba and rock,

hands in the air, castanet claps
as one, standing like neck hairs
on a vast animal,

in the glow of a spotlight moon.
This is la hora de los lobos –
musicians and fans move like a pack,

howling into summer night air,
magic under a lavender moon,
right up to the last buenas noches.

07/23/2002

Posted on 07/23/2002
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