Tempers

and thermals

and solar flares.

Blare of horns

and blacktop’s

creaking heat.

Painted lines

and lines of cars

comprise a gridlock

of intent –

steel and chrome,

flesh and bone;

dismissed,

ignored,

unseen.

Melting

curbside mirage,

dressed in heat-

stirred floral cotton,

she slowly bastes

and enervates

and waits

to cross

the street.

 

 

— C.Birde, 8/19