Alison Crompton
Moving Picture
Traffic rivers the road
as brake-lit curtains of rain
are pulled back from the screen
again and again.
From my front row seat
I watch a man who sits like a child
entranced by the sky on the fluid
pavement carpet, oblivious to stares
under brollies or behind glass.
Inching level, I am surprised
by the tidy face, suit and tie,
sober eyes that have found the peace
that follows submission to drowning.
Still I scroll through reasons
not to help.
A stretched limo pulls up ahead.
While the capped driver remains
at the wheel, a lady in velvet
crouches to comfort quivering lips.
In my rear view mirror
she steadies him back along the path,
rocking like penguins
into the distance.
The capped driver waits
in the warm,
and I am free
to depart.
as brake-lit curtains of rain
are pulled back from the screen
again and again.
From my front row seat
I watch a man who sits like a child
entranced by the sky on the fluid
pavement carpet, oblivious to stares
under brollies or behind glass.
Inching level, I am surprised
by the tidy face, suit and tie,
sober eyes that have found the peace
that follows submission to drowning.
Still I scroll through reasons
not to help.
A stretched limo pulls up ahead.
While the capped driver remains
at the wheel, a lady in velvet
crouches to comfort quivering lips.
In my rear view mirror
she steadies him back along the path,
rocking like penguins
into the distance.
The capped driver waits
in the warm,
and I am free
to depart.
Page(s) 42
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