Life by James Morehead

Life

by James Morehead

the cringe of a car thief
chased by police
who runs out of gas

two girls laughing and giggling
telling you the time
as you hide your watch

a grasshopper's blare
hidden deep out of reach
under your bed

the sound of your laughter
heard for the first time
in an empty theatre

holding your breath while passing a cemetary
avoiding ladders black cats
and sidewalk cracks

accepting a collect call
from someone
you can't remember

playing your walkman just loud enough
to annoy an odd man
nestled in a thick novel

shoveling snow and chipping ice
two hours
before a freak thunderstorm