Standing on the kerb

By the stone bollard

The carved number ten

Mossily announcing a mile

And an arrow pointing

up to the town hall at my side.

I am waiting to cross the road.

I am one with the universe.

The lights go red

For Ann Street

and Queen Street.

Cars go forward

The green man

does not appear.

Time is an illusion.

The lights change to green

For Queen Street.

I’m still standing here.

As a hulking great truck

passes by with

Eight trees that

have been striped

Of their branches and

all that remains

Of their former glory

Is the pungent smell of pine

The truck eases its load

Round the corner

Just missing a stationery car

Whose driver cowers

And will remember the error

Of not waiting behind

the white line.

Time is an illusion.

I will continue my journey soon.

As I stand on the corner

Where the wind blows

From the Loch,

Damp and desolate.

A trailer with a tenement

Three floors high

of chickens and their excreta

Passes inches from my nose.

I am one with the universe

I can wait for eons.

Lights flash amber

Then green for Darling Street

I am still standing

Tilting like the tree

I will soon become;

Away from the blast of

Fast cars fighting for

dominance of the road.

Mr O Conner opposite

stares vacantly into space.

The green man beckons.

For my continued life.

I eagerly spring walk

across the tarmac.

Mr O’Conner has not noticed

He has lost the will to live.

I am one with the Universe