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a little girl told me
that I could find happiness
just past the intersection
"take the first right
and curve around," south
so I headed off
looked for the old man
sitting, begging, singing
on the curb past the flower stand
signaling my turn

people racing from storefront
to storefront, excited
this, the first big shopping day
and they are fingering new wool sweaters
and shiny silver gifts of forgiveness
and humility
I pass them wondering if they know
where I am going and where happiness lies
if they are aware of how close we all are
and as I take the bend in the road
the bend in my belief of happiness
the sun is setting

reflecting off the windows
reflecting off the water
reflecting off of the cars and the bald heads
the sun is inviting the dark sky
and bright street lights over to dance
as I finish the bend in the road, practically sprinting
into the place where I expect to find happiness
the sun is setting across the sound
over me, now glued to the corner looking out over the market
while the sun stares back
over the Olympics and over the water
shining down on the waking city
coming alive as dark falls down over it

and the light
and the light
and the orange color illuminating everything
sucked itself into my breath
warmed every thought
and the purple texture underneath
rested against my consciousness
suggested that happy
is watching the stars tuck the sun into bed
while everyone on the street stops
mid stride, mid word
and watches too

by me, 11/28/02