Animals

 Nose to nose
our cars are practically touching.
Engines running, they are
animals, pausing 
having caught a scent.

SHIT! BALLS! GOD DAMN IT!

I realize now

both set of windows

are open.

I have never seen a man 

speak to his lap

in such a way.

Arms in a frenzy,

shifting something,

head looking down, and

his hands appear to 

be very busy.

His cursing grows 

quiet, I think

I have been caught

watching his 

dashboard puppet show.

Out of car, behind his door,

his hands are hard at work.

I am ashamed

to be staring 

but my eyes are transfixed. 

It is now his tiny

dog on a tangled leash

holding my 

attention.

[2002]