to my left is a prophet on the corner
“life is suffering,” he says
on the opposite corner stands another
“don’t worry. be happy,” he says
surrounded by listeners they chatter on
people on both sides smile at me, beckoning
~
far down the road is a bridge
in the distance a pier
where a dim boatman awaits
i finger the two coins in my pocket
and walk down the road
The Ace Hotel Notebook 