SPRING

morning the sidewalks still slick
ice thin as cellophane

by noon pitted concrete waxes with tulips
each year opening more of its pebbled surface

shocked by the way the world is bare
wearing mask on mask on mask

don’t mind the rain, what an intimacy
cracking the umbrella’s delicate arms 

finally something happens

the king descends the stairs
“today that would be impossible”
a market without a head

house prices on Degrassi St
award after award after award
without knowing the language

fluent and non-fluent aphasia
pinched nerve from sleepless nights
cracked shutters and peeling paint

Canada kills ambition:
how many ways can you intimidate
awake at dawn with stress