given nothing

i remember

hot august sun in abeyance

quantified shelter within reach

and the screams of an ambulance

filled with desire and need

i dared not move for the falling

the inevitable weight behind

words choking me taking my breath

.

the inevitable trip to boston

alligator bag lifted opened

found filled with an ocean

of time ( a woman’s voice

slips out the socks always

folded neatly coupled paired

matching ) which never ebbed

.

crawling disguised with swagger

head up shoulders back jaw set

fists loose but ready cut burned

broken ( this strange city) empty

sounds echo with thoughts as a

vacuum transmits no sound