I was standing outside
Minding my own business
Taking in the stench of burnt marijuana
Watching the homeless bumming cigarettes
While the street workers loafed
And little children ran wantonly
Amongst each other while giggling insanely
I watched the old, tired women emerge
With bulky bags from the local supermarket
Talking into unseen earphones like aliens
Plodding down the stairs ponderously
Trying not to trip over sordid empty boxes
While the guards stood by and chuckled
Not really giving a damn about anything
I listened to the music blaring from the café
Where numerous office workers had gathered
To beat the cold, the rain, the boredom
Eating pecan pie and drinking from steamy paper cups
Faces engagingly animated with the last office gossip
Their elegant designer garments worn subconsciously
Like proud badges of privileged achievements
I watched while the birds flew around anxiously
Searching for the last grains of soggy edible
Distractions from the incessant traffic blast
Drilling noises from the street constructors
The sirens of speeding police cars blinking
While I kept standing by the open door
Still minding my own business.
Camille Elaine Thomas
December 2023