The clouds all seemed to converge on Justice
Personified as a statue on the courthouse square.
I do not know what exactly
defines a ‘hobby’ – things
hardly ever spark any detectable sliver of joy
in me
my elders always
warned me
not to climb
trees at twilight
I envy cigarette smokers.
They take more fresh air breaks than anyone,
a drop embedded
in the half-opened bud—
winter morning
My dad always spoke to our mailmen
Regardless of where we moved,
Or the time of their route.