Intersections of Time

Holding my mother's hand,
I'm standing at the intersection,
Where cars speed past,
And as young as I am, I follow her command.

Though the light across is not white,
I follow her into the street,
And wonder why the cars don't drive,
But stay still, dazzling in the bright sunlight.

I stand on the corner, the button recently pressed,
Waiting for the light to beckon me across,
And spend my time observing,
Adults crossing in the traffic, unimpressed.

Alone I wait, but with others I walk,
Divided internally between law and custom,
Until one day I consciously disobey,
And enter the imaginary safety of the crosswalk.

Leaving school, passing through downtown,
One can't remember what's been forgotten,
A childish behavior of little consequence,
But the mind searches for it, while the face frowns.

Main Street is an entrancing mix of sights and sound,
With friends and acquaintances moving round,
Greeting pleasant and habitual fill the air,
And as I wander, I stop suddenly, transfixed by a car horn blare.

Poetry Series 2016:

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