Bridges

A bridge over
traversing gasoline
caged
a passing string of
wingless flies
on twice as many wheels.

Pebbles move under
distancing mammals
darting rodents
divide
uncaring birds
Engines shake across the creek
beat down high grass
Roofs clutter, spines of open books
"Is this O street?"
Do not speak to the aliens, they look
Retreat to the paved, the known,
the dash-lined.

Strolls and dusty shops are essential,
blocking,
or moving along,
or spiraling into
tight-fit laughters
stacked to the upper floor.

A creek razor-thin
touches
a diluted space of
recognition
Joggers, children, city parks
in paler figures.
A sickening order strikes as
unfamiliar.
Cherries, twisted arms.
Pines, smooth waists.
Mosaic antennae, calling for higher intelligence.
Lives must cross the bridge
to kneel before
lives estranged.

Withdraw to a well-cut corner
undeserved.
A fortress of printed letters.
Islands of
human impressions.
Bridged
and dissolved.

4/12/2020 in Palo Alto
Sketches of numerous bridges nearby.