WALKING TO THE PANAMA

WALKING TO THE PANAMA

Seattle – 03.28.2019

1.

Cut through Judkins Park

on my way to the I.D.

African-American man

of indeterminate age

could be thirty could be fifty

sitting on the steps

in the sun

with two tall boys fresh

and two young boys

ten or twelve years old

I greet them

walk past

one boy says

Hey, mister

can you give me

five dollars?

Sorry, kid

says I

I’m running on empty.

Which I am

except for American Capitalist

credit card good for all emergencies

in my privilege pocket.

I walk away

thinking about what

one time I might have done

judgments/anger

On this Seattle sunshine day

I walk away

saddened

thinking about my future

not much left not worried

thinking about their future

blank screen

fade-to-black

Thinking:

This is the world we’ve made

This is the world we’re making

This is the world we’re passing on

This is the world.

2.

What looks like

a rumpled & crumpled

pile of carpet felt

is some somebody’s shelter

A sneakered foot kicks out

In a second

the top flops

a hand reaches

fingers grab a bottle

bottle disappears.

This is the world.

3.

Down the street

a giant bodhisattva

blesses fresh fruit juice bubble tea

RW

Seattle

03.28.2019