from my window
I watched intently
through narrow blinds
helmeted police
clash
with protesters
hurling bottles flying fists
a cacophony of human voices
collectively raged and ascended
like bubbling magma
above
the
street
a flock of hardcore New York pigeons
swarmed and assembled side-by-side
there along the rooftop ledge of a nearby McDonald’s
w i t n e s s i n g
a smoking teargas canister that scattered and choked the asphalt
a strident voice on the TV announced:
“Guaranteed acceptance! You cannot be denied life insurance coverage for any health reason whatsoever!”
I closed my eyes and swallowed
contemplating
for a fleeting moment
the awareness of the birds
wondering if they understood
just how much
fucking trouble
the world
is
in