Passing

cover of clouds parked cars crowd a narrow street sidewalk rising and settling a rough journey in time leaves turning colors rustle the neighbor across the street she says it’s just another day toddler at her side a man sits on his porch greetings offered as people pass two eager golden retrievers behind a tall picket fence bark speaking a language of their kind a retired clerk from the police department rakes leaves, cancer in remission in the autumn of her life