the walk
he’s walking up North Atherton Street
during the only 10 minutes of sunshine
it’s uphill but he looks like he’s falling downhill
his pace a little faster than his body is used to
judging by the way he’s dressed
he’s a banker trying to sneak in a quick lunch
or a little bit of exercise to keep middle age at bay
his tan suggests a recent vacation
probably to Myrtle Beach or golfing in Florida
down there with the wife and another couple
the men spending their days on the links
the women spending theirs shopping
he’s the American Dream in a pair of Berlutis
the gleam of his wristwatch in the sun
is the first time the van driver notices him
by then it’s much too late to stop
when the paramedics get there, they find
one custom-made shoe more than
two hundred feet away, under a car in a nearby lot
17 October 2013
State College, PA
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