The Sidewalk is Parallel to the Sky

because when you’re living in a city

— parallel is what?

Sidewalks run parallel to streets,

but they also run perpendicular

to streets.

They cross intersections.

They love the park

and move versus cars.

Sidewalks zigzag to Shaula Doyle’s apartment.

and descend to the waterfront.

Remember this though: The sidewalk is only

—and always—

parallel to the sky.

Orient yourself.

Light rail travels parallel to future polling places.

The port reclines adjacent to the world.

Students share rooms oblique to world history.

Buildings rise next to buildings at right angles to nightclubs,

with piano chords stirring.

Music is written parallel to invocations.

Billie Holiday stands in the hallway, extending her arms

—parallel to what?

Remember: When you’re living in a city, you’re conducting a seance.

Published by High Shelf Press, April, 2022; a different version of this poem appears in my first collection, Shops Close Too Early, published in September, 2022.