To be in the presence of something

massive—

something dizzying, unblinking,

impassive.

To hear hours and hours of static.

Poolside fountains,

car bumpers, and walking overpasses—

in morning’s glare,

chromatic.

To be in the belly of a whale,

swallowed whole,

sitting passive.

To dream of stars in neon afterglow,

join the slow shuffle,

swallow down the panic.

What will fill our fabled sails?

Where will this whale land us?

I”m shedding galloons

to the city streets,

where some will

starve while some will feast.

I’m learning my own privilege,

in the total darkness of a stranger’s stare,

but will anybody find this tragic?


Cover Art: Whale Market “Local Food Court On Sukhumvit 16 Alley”

Norah Jones “Sunrise”

3 responses to “And the Whale”

  1. Great thoughts, KF. It speaks to me of the counter-chatter in my head when in spaces filled with a cacophony of sounds.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. The sound echos in that market. Seems like maybe that’s why they call it the whale.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Makes sense.

        Like

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