warm river water


I peered into the blue letters of "HUMANITY"
on a roadside billboard.

The word was plastered on the sign larger than
three 6' human bodies stacked head-to-toe--

Head-to-toe with lightning and dissipating smoke
coming from the northern part of the city.

Because their habitat was fancy,
the river had no real chance to notice.

To notice traces of any different items thrown
into the undertow of currents.

Currents dripping with shavings
the color of cocoa pieces and of more strength than
a box of iodized salt.

Now,
I look into the blue circle of aYork Peppermint Patty box
and take myself back to that minty feeling.

Rushing over your body like cold air that hits
pruned skin pried open with
warm river water.