nocturne

after a restful night

the world looks different

 

flowers breathe deep

murmur and sigh

leaves giggle in groups

sway in sunlight

 

living on automatic

bold pedestrians cross without eyeing traffic

 

protective headphones

afford safe passage

sonic cocoons buffet

untoward advances

 

step over curbs

slick urea and fabuloso

foam greywater baths where cigarettes float

 

dance to street music

sidewalk shuffle in sneakers

while preachers laud certainty

over loud speakers

About the Author

Robel Yemiru is a Black and Ethiopian queer writer living in San Francisco. His background is in economics, policy studies, and human-centered design, with a B.A. from Syracuse University. To view more of their work click below.

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