autumn came around like a drifter to an onramp

there were wet leaves floating in gutters full of rain.

took to walking barefoot around town

melodies from grade school, kicking in my brain.

saw you on the crosstown bus today.

you were reading a magazine.

I turned my face away and I shut my eyes tight.

and dreamed about the flowers that hide from the light on dark hillsides

in the hidden places.



the brakes howled and the bus pulled up near my house

and I got off at the corner.

pulled my sleeves down over my hands, over my hands.

and I wished I was someone else.

and I wished it was warmer.

and when I got home, I thought about you.

like a desperate policeman, searching for clues

and I almost passed out, just then

and I shut my eyes again

headed for the dark hillsides

in the hidden places.