west-side

            there, beyond the melting           
pools of neon lights, dark modulations
of the soul             reverberate in leaves.
            drip, drop

the hollow curve of footprints
  a trail, ahead,
          incense scowls into closed
air,             wet leaves pungent,
    nostrils open, slow suck
in.

shadowshops. the sign for Sweet
Freedom: pictures of croissants,
            buns, things. EZ
Park Here.             people inside of
glass walls dance away
                                     I walk.

                       Breeze wet, warm
damp bedsheets fluttering down to
            ground, mattress,
tuck.             KEEPING YOU SAFE & WARM
advertisements, city street regulations.

La Veracruza lit & barren, aside for a
     thai woman, back bent, watching
me watching her clothes spin

suds, wet
         the air a bloated dishrag, squeeze
            squeeze, concrete pores open
& close, as if breathing.

     soft fuzz hats of children
            bounce past, their front teeth
missing            laughter as if easy.
    “Let us in!”             “Hey, hey”

Turn a corner unintended. so far
now            from streets I know
    the houses are nice, here
Closed.          

Here, moon-sigh
            gardens mewl a hello
   & trickling fountains burble
water distilled
                                    Lean over
                                    Touch it

of spirits. laughter ripples the pools
awake, as if disturbance was
natural. In a place like this.