the bus stop is missing its benches and trash cans
scars remain on the sidewalks
women talking on cell phones
crossing against the lights
trot across the plastic faux-brick sidewalks
fat men in knit shirts lumber slowly along
their mouths hanging open
traffic slows to a stop
young women wear tight clothes
their buttons straining
we are the children of soldiers
our breath is labored
our sky is gray
(Copyright 2023 by Tetman Callis.)