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Poem written for and submitted to “Pondering the Pavement” poetry contest, John Lawless, sponsor, October 19, 2025
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ cracks map forgotten rivers: tar-black seams~ occasionally, one splits into a canyon. hot asphalt breathes tar-scented hymns while bus brakes screech the chorus line. pigeon’s sudden backheel scatters scraps. ants haul crumbs like miniature sherpas. a dropped coin rolls, gutter bound. discarded receipt whirls, a brief and weightless ghost. above, glass giants hold the sky’s reflection— my eyes stay earthbound, counting the braille of footsteps left behind. my shadow stretches, thin as doubt at noon. here, gravity feels optional. I walk. I ponder.
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