Rose City

Impurity

midwinter baptism

rain motor oil swells concrete

crevices disgorge towards spotless

white sneakers rhapsodic

fit with light blue denim,

what a throwback, how eighties

I arrive penitent at the bourbon

altar a stranger makes turgid

confession

I can’t take {that} I wait out

side for rideshare rain falls in the biblical

sense – hey noah –

what a nightscape, how cozy

city worn to the nub –

hallelujah through gritted teeth.

–

Absolution

I’m not

waterproof but

body can hack it, half gills sprout in northwestern damp

hurried steps down cue the

groaning hardwood staircase quartet

strike a rhythm to the front door

weather forecast unconsulted

fragrant asphalt

pirouette around the street water

turn back take caution

[heed the roses

forever forward]