WRONG SIDE OF THE ROAD (AN AUTUMN POEM)

by Andrew Galan

 

 

Silver escalator going up, red struck stick going down
seized ebon ink trip stair, stainless dimples on fire,
arch ossified glide and anatomy something done;
pass Stygian sartorial Spock going down
to the wrong side of the road.

Caught on heartless rivet cheek, burnt by phosphorous trace grain
over toecap thread — stand hard going up.
Lost side-ways ‘bye smile fix over beaten steel step,
tread narrow lift chunk chain — ride ridge going up
gloom-groove helmets to rim stop.

Break lock if you die, stretch metal march,
glide silent order, if you die grab petrol-rail, statue burns,
wince, trace of rain, wind tunnel escalate;
witch arse elongate travelator
melt red heels click decay.

white thatch fad hosiery to seam button frame
petroleum coals mutter memories wave-arm scarecrow path,
pick a fight between twin rubber crows
going down
pick a fight with mobil’ stair-flight.

Saw a redhead gloat down
follow sand mask tusk push file
Tuvok going down
left still pitch going down,
nail cheek right down to the ground.

 

 

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