Pedestrian

Two hours of walking and I
remember the plight of the pedestrian:
lone occupant of a parallel universe
invisible to drivers for whom
the world is now designed.

Sweat, sore feet and time to think
at a natural rate of speed.
Time to see...

The intimacy of smell,
both foul and pleasant-
car exhaust, sewer water, garbage
fermenting in the heat.

You are careful not to let your
face or your words
register disgust
out of respect for the context -
some kind of understanding.

Woman's hair products,
a variety of summer trees and plants,
the sudden extravagance of maple glaze.