commutative power

the cd hisses & pops -
a digital imitation of scars in the vinyl
from which the cd was created.
songs of my youth should be scarred.

heh.

the roof is open.
the windows are down.
on this side a train of empty boxcars
carries its cargo of graffiti
on down the line.
on that side a jogger on the greenway
puts feet to asphalt in striking syncopation
to the music.

los angelenos - all come from somewhere...
i mute the inimitable mr joel
in sight of the one-lane pass under the tracks.
slow. honk-honk. pull through.
i simultaneously turn up the music and the pace.
hypocritically sucumbing to the lure of the
curves & dips in this neighborhood of strangers,
i surpass a speed which would inspire me to shake my fist
at strangers travelling through my neighborhood.

ssswwoommm! ssswwoommm!

ssswwoommm....

and - there's the highway.
the traffic signal.
the home road.
the mailbox. the driveway. the garage.

the day's commute is done.
roll up the windows and go inside.