Every morning’s commute comes to an end just after a brief encounter with any number of people madly crossing streets against the signals.  Within a half-mile of the parking lot are a few encampments for transient folks, a well-attended medical clinic, and a ton of stoplights, train crossings, busways, and pond-sized potholes.  Bad timing can add 15minutes to your last half mile if you hit all the lights, allowing for plenty of inter-windshield eye contact with passersby, many of whom may not actually see you there.

Once, months ago in a fine Seattle rain and 40 degrees, 2 young men crossed against the light while I sat in my car, waiting… waiting for them to slooooowly get to the other side.  One of them turned from under his hoodie and stared at me as though I was the one who elevator-farted, and he would pocket that info to keep me honest.  Instead, I rolled my window down as they got half-way across, stopped in the rain while I yelled, “Hey guys!? It’s raining like hell out there, but take your time, I’m pretty comfortable!”  The tenacity of their responding “FUCK YOU FAGGOT” belied their otherwise calm demeanor.  You know how bros joke around…

And thus…

CROSSWALK HAIKU

I see you seething

Walk slowly and glare at me

Contrasting climates

Against the Rules, Light

Perpendicular to Green

I shrug off your mean

You glower at me

Challenge my gas pedal, sir?

You clock in nowhere

Take your time, Spirit

Heated breath into the cold

Mad walk so slowly?

Empathy given

A life chosen and pushed through

Not all is my fault

Why glare at me, man?

Stopped, waiting, I shrug it off

Warm podcast cocoon