SIDEWALK SONG

AFTER RAINSTORM AT THE STATE SPEECH MEET

UNL CAMPUS 1998

Corpses of worms crushed on the wide sidewalk

Or drowned, extended in the deep-water depressed places,

Headed cross-hatched across, against the traffic of

stressed, fast-walking, oblivious teens racing

the rain to their next rounds to speak.

The worms were headed out; hoping (if worms can hope)

for the other side of something;

Making trails for someplace dry enough to breathe.

And the speakers mashed them.

Step on a worm, you make your mother squirm.

Night crawlers out of their element this day;

They came in last - and they weren't even trying for medals.

And the competing teens - they never care enough for the

blind innocents they crush as they cross them

on their track to

First place.


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