The Lights in the Palm Tree

I sit on the linoleum floor of the donga

with the door open to the night winds

as I unpack my laden grocery bags.

As I stand, scattered orange lights

in the palm tree catch my eye

from above the next row of rooms.

The lights seem to flicker on and off

when I move, as though someone

strung a set of Christmas lights

high in the tree top, just for fun.

I follow the sidewalk to the end

of the building for a better view,

but the light doesn't glow in the fronds

the same way from the sides.

Only two feet of space in my room

shows the brand new flood light

at the perfect angle and height

to see the palm fronds glow each night.