The Leaf Sucker
One autumn afternoon
I sat on a city bench paid for by Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Harvey
and watched the world die.
Street workers in olive coveralls raked up the leaves
and swept them
red, orange, and gold
onto the pavement.
Then a roaring machine sputtered down the asphalt
chewed up the colors
and spat brown shred back into the gutters.
When I live awake
and my demons come at night
I think of all the people who are like the city beast.
Sometimes you come to mind.
-MWE
23 March 2000
