paint

pavement

sacred there

in the pond

on the daily traveled sidewalks

in motion forever being touched with no feeling

i see how beautiful you are comfort for the industrial spawn city child

your orange backs stop my steps from going too far without smiling in the bleakness of the day waving docile fins

your jewel backs charming treasure afterthought of the straggler in the mood of the times scientology across the street while the bed bugs do battle cry by the patisserie of my distant sullied youth

in the pavement my eyes the news of the day beguiles to think that in your face there might be happiness

around you go with the brothers in the dark pool of my mind

i walk against a tide of lukewarm panic

no Buddha’s cloak can hide

the past that

keeps me

forced

inside