Night Street

The dank petrichor of grainy night,
meters stand like gravestones, 
the obsidian avenue slick as a sapphire,
windowed granite rising in sharp cut shadows,
wind gusting, tumbleweed clouds somersaulting 
in a moonless ghost town.
I jingle keys with atonal sky
and listen to my footsteps on concrete
ticking like a clock.

There are places to be.
I hasten my step as rain drops resume,
one by one mounting into a riotous crowd.
Umbrella-less, I am soon sopping,
hair a wet carpet, suit a gray saturated tarp,
the briefcase and tote onyx boulders.
My car is still a block away,
but eventually I reach it 
like a leaf washing down stream.

The tote slips off my shoulder
as I stoop to retrieve fallen keys
lying in a shallow puddle like a shattered talisman.
Suddenly I begin laughing,
dropping everything in the street,
my face skyward, arms splayed like a crucifix.
Now there is no tomorrow,
only the farce of my predicament,
standing like a drowned coyote howling 
at the moon as though it would be there forever.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2018

Poem

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Dietrich Avatar
January 10, 2019 at 6:16 PM
I just love your writing so much , Dale. Another fave. Can't believe I ever missed this one.
Cozart Avatar
January 10, 2019 at 6:28 PM
Thanks very much, Andrea.
Adams Avatar
October 12, 2018 at 11:04 PM
This is a great write Dale. I don't know what all the words mean, but I felt it and imagined dropping the keys and the whole bit. Well done as always! Oh, and a FAV for me as well!.......pat
Cozart Avatar
October 13, 2018 at 8:44 AM
Thanks very much, Pat!
Rodrigues Avatar
September 30, 2018 at 5:49 PM
Love: tumbleweed clouds somersaulting and yes, I’d laugh...sounds like a wild and crazy day!
Cozart Avatar
September 30, 2018 at 6:00 PM
Thanks for reading, Kim.
Gauthier Avatar
September 23, 2018 at 11:38 PM
A wonderful read. Congrats on your well deserved silver medal win, Dale.
Cozart Avatar
September 24, 2018 at 8:08 AM
Thank you, Line.
Roper Avatar
September 23, 2018 at 4:33 PM
Congratulations on you win, Dale, great imagery. ...Eve
Cozart Avatar
September 23, 2018 at 4:36 PM
Thank you, Eve.
Ashley Avatar
September 22, 2018 at 9:56 PM
I recognized my own variation of surrender as I read your exquisite poem, Dale. With your superb imagery, I walked in your shoes down 'night street'. Congratulations on your excellent win. ~Susan
Cozart Avatar
September 23, 2018 at 8:27 AM
Thanks so much, Susan.
Canerdy Avatar
September 22, 2018 at 12:33 PM
This is SUPERB! CONGRATS, Dale!! Janice
Cozart Avatar
September 22, 2018 at 1:02 PM
Thank you, Janice.
Carber Avatar
September 22, 2018 at 12:08 PM
You have a good ear for the sounds a poem can 'make'-- which works well with the strong sense of place the poem evokes-- congrats on your win!
Cozart Avatar
September 22, 2018 at 12:19 PM
Thanks, LJ.
Lawless Avatar
September 22, 2018 at 11:54 AM
Way to seize a moment and invite us all to don some rain gear and walk with you. Loved this stroll into acquiescence and peaceful surrender. Thank you for participating in the contest
Cozart Avatar
September 22, 2018 at 12:19 PM
Thanks, John.
Kiser Avatar
September 20, 2018 at 6:37 PM
Excellent work here, Dale. Great imagery; I am right there with you.
Cozart Avatar
September 20, 2018 at 7:18 PM
Thanks much, ML.
Daniel Avatar
September 14, 2018 at 8:53 AM
Nature surely has a way of pulling us in, Dale:)
Cozart Avatar
September 14, 2018 at 8:56 AM
Thanks for reading, Jo.
Hamilton Avatar
September 12, 2018 at 4:31 PM
Yeah, yeah, yeah give me more Dale love this free style imagery filled story line, all can relate I'm sure, funny how nature always wins...in the end!
Cozart Avatar
September 13, 2018 at 8:15 AM
Thanks, John!
Green Avatar
September 12, 2018 at 1:08 PM
Love the ending to this my friend. Into everyone's life a little rain must fall...might as well make the best of it when it comes. Nicely done.
Cozart Avatar
September 12, 2018 at 2:02 PM
Thanks so much, Chris. Good to hear from you!
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