14
Patiences
beneath sunlight split
by poles and wires
among the faded flag
bumper stickers &
the slow rush hour
parade of us
someone here is
not who they are
everyone is looking
at no one knowing
we’re all being
watched
some of us still believe
that there is a kindness
in a convenience store
the detergent is too expensive
a woman searches her pockets
for another dollar that isn’t there
the next person in line
lends her the money
knowing it won’t be repaid
the surveillance camera
catches the whole thing on tape
but the camera doesn’t care
it’s waiting for the gun
David p Bates currently resides in Austin, TX.
