Look close, look far

too far?

(too far)

Cars come, cars go

tortured, metal boxes, smudged colours

on tattered tarmac.

Pneumatic drill sounds, distant

hammering, dry clatter

on summer paving.

A man, newspaper

folds and departs kiosk

shimmered in sun.

The calls from traders

I heard them, then

did not hear them

(refused to hear them).

Stepped inside a porch

waited.

Tired, but wary.

Checked watch.

I could swim in these August

clouds, if I wanted.

And I waited

almost hunched.

Quite alone, from there.

And I waited.

Waited.

For something

to happen.