surface

hiding behind
open doors
flashing passersby
an urbane orchid
clinging
and this mossy branch
precarious
the man said
when one points
four would point back
at this coat
both red and green
changing with the light
changing as buttons open
as eyes enlarge
masks removed
reveal other masks
each more telling
than the last
til the tale
grinds to a halt
brick wall
graffiti essence
lost in a
city of smiles
the animal wonders
why they expose
their teeth
to express joy