Early Urban

17 September 2008

Donovan J. Douglas

Menopause the musical

Legless paraplegic resting in a

Wheel chair covered in stars and stripes

Beanie pulled hard and low over his face

It may be a man

Men and women rushing past but

Turning to look back at him

Stare at him

Begin to make words with parted lips

But it’s just a thought, what can you say?

Keep walking

Stop

Turn and look

A look of concern and outrage

The man parked beneath a crimson awning

Carl’s Jr. closed in the early morning

Fresh cut grass and roaring mowers

Pickup truck hauling giant spools of fiber optic cables

Brick laid sidewalks

Clean stone buildings and windows big as elephants

Orange cones set in the street

Serious men in hardhats furrowing their brows

Hard pressing lips caressing paper cups of coffee

Arguing with groans

The beeping of a scissor lift

Stone masonry

Woman with rainbow stockings sucking her legs like a second skin

Slender man in red tank top and bicycle shorts

Whole package exposed

My throat goes dry

Billboard bright and blue set against the dark gray buildings

A pet for every man, woman and child

Semi truck pulling to the curb bleeding air brakes

Long and drawn out like conversation

Old ragged man with a beard like a bird’s nest

Dragging his comforter

He pours coffee from a paper cup to his feet

Take a small sip and nod in silent approval

Delivery van with mural on its side

Tan boulders and camels and palm trees offset by a blue sky

Taqueria Villanueva

Mexican food

Giant purple octopus climbing out of a second story window

Tarp covered fire escapes

The buzzing of electric saws

Hey buddy can I ask you a favor?

I’m heading down south and I’ve only got two bucks

Nah sorry man I can’t spare anything

Sunlight hitting everything

Shadows long and drawn out like winter

Like the shadows of autumn

Sitting on a concrete slab facing Starbucks

A lonely crusty looking man approaches

Do you have a phone I can use?

Glance down at the technological marvel in my hands

Consider telling him lies

Honesty rises in my throat like a frog trying to escape

Hesitant to hand him this

Thoughts of snatch and run

Leaping after him and prying it from his greasy fingers

I’ll call your brother for you

I don’t care if he only speaks Spanish

Please don’t rob me

Hey you can hold my bag if you don’t trust me

You have nothing that’s of worth to me

My phone pressed to his dirt smattered face glistening in the sunshine

Thank you for your kindness

Cue the afternoon