from Kevin Edwards: IN THE FUNERAL PROCESSION FOR A FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL HERO

 

IN THE FUNERAL PROCESSION FOR A FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL HERO

 

Nobody could’ve been wronger. 

Raincoats were soaked from inside.

The longer the beach the blonder

Powerlines quartered the sky

In the minutes immediately after

Storefronts mirrored the polished

surface of a screen - and laughter

stemmed from an all-night florist

sculpting a birthday surprise.

The shoe repair shop was dark.

Crosswalks zebra-striped.

Devices desired a charge

taking turns between bathroom mirrors.

Outside the dark closed flowers

when the football stadium cheered.

A drive-thru flickered its hours. 

Sidewalks were gutted by roots

from writhing spruce trees. 

Dumpsters of rotten fruit 

witnessed the trash stampede. 

Silence avoided the sirens

and newsracks print nothing inside.

Headlights may join the horizon. 

Screens may attract flies. 

Time somebody whistled the rhythm

and mourners sang down the street.

A version of us will sing with them. 

Another kneels on one knee

and cheers the opposing squads. 

One team in orange. One green.

The lifetimes we’ve come from are thoughts - 

further ahead lies belief.