—UP AND DOWN THE BOULEVARD

 

Orbital

 

Thought I saw you 

in the sky today,

clouds puffing up 

your shoulders 

like some ball player

on the goal line, 

putting it all out there again

whether someone 

notices or not. 

 

Thought I saw you 

in the crowd on 

First Street just now,

all those mannequin people 

trying on shoes and hats, 

tilting mirrors, wondering 

who they might be if 

they just had a different hood.

 

Thought I saw 

you in a chorus of a song 

I almost wrote but

feared it was another

cup of coffee, 

one they always send back.

 

Thought I saw you 

in the sky today, 

soaring, orbital, not

proud whatsoever,

a shiny ghost, 

you just coaxing 

the air as you floated by,

 thanking each cloud.