the north pond

i walked east

across the city, past the–

hot dog stands, taquerias, 

lovers kissing & painting crews–

and arrived at the north pond.

the wings of the city opened

and closed above me,

shadows passing across

the sky-reflecting water.

resting on the elevated tip

of a submerged log, a turtle.

i’d been in the hospital -

my mind was still

depressed & slowmoving.

the turtle sensed this

and we spoke to each other

across twenty feet of water,

sunlight and lichen.

something was transmitted

in green and blue.

the turtle slid into
the pond 

The wings of the city

rose up and carried me away.