Olvera Street

by Michael Dylan Welch and Oleg Kagan

First published in Prune Juice 34, July 2021. Originally written while visiting Olvera Street in Los Angeles, California, on 21 February 2010.

crying baby—

the Mariachi band

stops to tune Michael

a mother hissing

“no tocar” Oleg

gaudy ukuleles

hanging with the chilies—

first drops of rain Michael

hushed voices—

painted skulls

in the candleshop Oleg

the slap of tortillas

as we count our cash Michael

Sepulvida’s window—

in the evening rush

a siren Oleg