I look at people and like what I see

They are chatting. He pats him

on the shoulder. He is cold.

They walk away.

She is sitting scrolling. No

one bothers her and she does not

bother them. She has many,

family and friends, who love her.

And she loves them.

People are shopping, not stealing.

They want to look good and want

something nice for their children.

They are not blowing up buildings

or running cars into people.

They are just trying their best

as almost everyone always does,

as here the frost melts

and sheep eat grass

in a place where it already has.

You have given me to pray

You have given me to pray

and it’s like a slow tornado.

I’m sucked up in circles

and at the top am in the sun

and I say,

“Take me! Take me!”

But no, now I know

it’s not a prayer.

It’s a poem and me

fleeing again. I see

the people I love

and so slide down to them

through the last of the poem,

that old fire escape we had at school.