Encity

(A recent trip to the metropolis, the city seen as an entity).

Sticking out my tongue
as if an upturned palm
testing for rain,
I taste the cinder-like city air
candle warm and fetid,
fast-food smears, are
vivid pavement art
inspected closely by critical pigeons.
The incessant traffic clank
squealing, caterpillaring slowly,
microbes inching through concrete arteries
depositing a toxic cholesterol
upon the ancient stones.
Here everyone is struck dumb
faceless, incognito, bowed and busy,
no friendly bobbies,
just their wailing warnings,
new sirens that proclaim the threat
now comes from within and not above.


© Graham Sherwood 10/2014