E Riding the Crane

3

The machine slows and stops, lights out a...
Free verse, a passage through, a freeway. A
Song ringing through the stereos
On Main Street. Night song. Echo, not a 

Resolution, not. At 5am workers
Park and talk. Walk to the construction
Site. Seven thirty pm a dozen 
LAPD cruisers are parked on First
Street. "I'm looking up, I'm looking down."
News vans, helicopters: between the streets
In alleys (if you can find one) are
Many that haven't (has no one) noticed.
'A fire hydrant sits, looking out, look
Ing in,' dripping, drip. The water flows
To San Pedro Street and dives into
A drain. "We will not go to the sea, not
Tonight." Or any other night. Words bouncing,
Bouncing off building walls. 9pm the arm
Swings 180 degrees: spotlights from invisi
Ble birds in circles flying, or...