City Stroll Early

When’s the last time you drifted along

lost in the haze of a celadon glow,

ambling into the slow drumming dawn?

A melody hides in the lure of beyond,

promise arising. Adiago.

When’s the last time you drifted along,

footsteps beat to the echoing song,

leather to pavement, ankle to toe,

ambling into the slow drumming dawn?

Now the growl of a garbage truck yawn,

clattering cymbals, rubbish to stow.

When’s the last time you drifted along,

as delicate remnants of yesterday’s throng

slithered past thresholds, ready to go

ambling into the slow drumming dawn?

Dissonant voices, a work day begun

America sings but you pause, even so.

When’s the last time you drifted along,

ambling into the slow drumming dawn?

 
Nighttime in the city. A garbage truck makes its rounds.

Well, lovies, that's my first stab at a villanelle. Yeah, I know, it ain't Dylan Thomas, and it ain't Whitman either. But I do enjoy wrestling with this interesting form

 
Amanda Barusch

Amanda Barusch has worked as a janitor, exotic dancer, editor, and college professor. She lives in the American West, where she spends as much time as possible on dirt paths. She has an abiding disdain for boundaries and adores ambiguity. Amanda has published eight books of non-fiction, a few poems, and a growing number of short stories. Aging Angry is her first work of creative non-fiction. She uses magical realism to explore deep truths of the human experience in this rapidly changing world.

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