sunburnt man
wretched and weary
beneath light and rain,
thunder smelled of goatskin
and musky aftershave,
steps taken like a drunk
falling on his own
sky crossed with jets
over the park
those travelling to another
countries sun to relax,
as slowly it ceased
shimmering haze
brought glare to eyes
worn with failing status
once he was among the rest
spewing from subway to curb
urgent and despairing
eager to get home,
that place with a yard
spill of ivy
trimmed lawn,
but that page had turned
fortune walked away like
everyone else,
yet his eyes sparkled
renewed vigor in his step,
he saw the torture he once
experienced,
now he belonged to no one
bank, employer, wife
even country,
he was an independent state
velvetmedia 