The Beat of The City

golden rays

cast a shadow over the city.

the cool breeze

contrasts the hot, humid air.

the aromatic cortado from literati coffee

is inhaled.

the young motorcyclist waiting at the red light

fidgets and looks anxious

as his ride rattles angrily—

clickety-clack, clickety-clack, clickety-clack.

the mustard traffic light changes to an alarmingly

bright shade of green,

as it glistens in the heavy, beating sun.

the gentle breeze

causes it to rock,

back and forth, back and forth, back and forth.

the pedestrian signal, consistent

and punctual, faithfully alternates

between,

walk, don’t walk, walk, don’t walk, walk, don’t walk.

the pedestrian crossing is marked,

with equidistant thick lines, shaded in

the snowy color of sunscreen.

a fast toddler darts to the crossing as

a young couple jump to grab ahold of him.

the avocado green street signs for the

E. Washington and S. Fourth intersection

add a pop of color, don’t you think?

the picturesque scene,

paints an illusion that is order, even perfection.

a cool shade now covers the streets,

the dull brick of the Fifth Third Bank building

now embodies the color of burnt crust.

the cool breeze is now in icy harmony

with the dropping temperatures,

of an Ann Arbor night.