thought dream 012109.2

5:27 pm january 21 sky bludgeoned
deep blue and turning black. tire tracks
in the hardened snow. waiting

for a bus in the slow upheaval.
somewhere, the towers burning.
the borders blurring. shadows

from skeletal trees grabbing at
the road. a dunkin donuts
bathed

in green light from a traffic
signal. night
scratching at the door.

gold christmas
lights (still)
draped on groomed

pine trees in the parking
lot of a bank. man
in desert camouflage

jacket walking
a black lab, the black
leash

getting tangled
around his jeans. a taped
announcement

from the MTA about
security
broadcast over the loud-

speakers on an empty
train platform. when the bus
comes, I will pause

for a moment, say hello
to the driver, and carefully
drop

the coins in the box.