talking street

walking by a tree
that looks like a bush
stepping into the street
a cat in the road
so still
takes a dash
to the dark grass

further down
a streetlight
tells a red car
that it’s not as young
as it used to be

and on the corner
by the house
where the coach
once lived
a stop sign stands
at attention

it’s unanimous
the neighbors I knew
as a young man
are all gone

I know the story
of each disease

I drive this old street
each day
and notice nothing

but this night
(walking a pace
that helps me
finish quicker)
it’s all brand new