crossing the firestone lot after work
i spot a mother trailed by two daughters
marching single file up burnside,
the mother relaying a torch of to go coffee
respectfully followed by her red headed daughters,
each one bearing before them
a pink box of donuts. i smile,
and notice how the sidewalk has
recently been sprinkled with
crispy brown hands, curled
fingers stiffened in mid-clasp,
fallen because they have caught
all the light they could.
dramatic sky alternates between
shade & shine as i sit down
on a bench beneath a tent of trees,
two tank topped young men,
pause before the grand elephant,
one considering the climb
while the other patiently observes,
phone hugged to chest, heart
poised to capture his triumphant ascent
as a cryptic old friend, hardly looking back,
barely saying a word, cruises past on his bike,
as i watch the young man too easily
surrender to the smooth
flank of this most magnificent elephant
and saunter away with his friend. burnside
a glinting funnel of cars. in between
the trees the clouds thicken, deepening shade.
i close the book and continue toward home.
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