City of the Burning Hands

Standing at the corner of First and Forever, remorseful
in my hangover shoes, with a piece of fruit
in my pocket—waiting for the light
to change—I begin to believe
all beings deserve love.

A lost woman
across the street
finds a room of sunlight
on the steps of a bank building.
Her coat so thin stars pattern her skin.

How did she get here? I know nothing of her life.

I inhale the vast fragrance of an orange.
In the steep canyons of the city
life rushes forward…

a cop walks by and cracks a smile.

My hands fly up, I surrender!
I admit I know nothing.

What a relief! What freedom!

I am ready for your love.