Water Lines

I’m supposed to wait here

until the water goes down.

If someone arrives, I’m to

ask him to wait, in case

the water goes down. It is

not as bad as it sounds.

Each morning, I hear birds

call out from the street. Beyond

that, there is not much use

for time. I’m getting a lot

of reading in. In other

cities, people carry on.

Fathers come home with sacks

of white flour. Children

play at school, where they learn

what is left for them. I look

forward to their banner

at the next parade. I look

forward to the water

going down. A swarm of flies

warns us, here comes the Spring.

And you know what that will bring.