Between

Between us daylight shifts water
to chalky fingerprints
on a blackboard sky.
You, anonymous girl, peel
by my frosted window again
in bruised banana car.
The white dusted lane, some distance
from my kitchen prison
never reveals your one-way smile,
only a blurred sheet metal mile.

Between us red flashes
winged ghosts into a cardinal’s
crown, piercing the end of another day.
I would not know you
if you stood near me reading,
silver cart filled with shitakes
and cheap white wine.
Tonight you offer inflated castles,
but tow them down the gravel
like wind dancing in winter grass.

Between us desire passes
turning pages of falling leaves
erasing the blackboard sky.
Did you angle a glance today,
me standing hands deep
in lonely soap and soup grease?
No. There was no chance or nod or toot
of horn, no loving angel born.
Just the evening road again, a bit of dusty
autumn air, chilled with time and rust.