park here

now is
to be aware
of:

playing --
summer nights at South Park
where 40 times 1000 watts
stare at the action on 5

being a spectator --
seeing the sky
bluing with white
and tangling with green things

a game together --
tether-tennis with Jayne
(sides or serve)
smiling

holding the about in control --
seesawing on springs,
joined by a kid who just came,
mounted, not a word: delight

the situation of duration --
out from cover,
watching drops spin off a tire,
bumping on pitched cracks, twig-ly streets,
curbs running water over a child's feet

closing --
the children's plumbing is silent.
40 have left, and nearby
the lights change, burn, buzz,
advertise to themselves

Copyright © 1994, 1998 John P. Healy