TRAFFIC LIGHTS

i saw her yesterday
down the sidewalk in
a faded green sweater

laughing with a boy
holding coffee-to-go

the traffic
back-lit the evening at 5:45

and i remembered that
this was exactly how it was
supposed to happen

to say it all
as the city passes by
and people fold papers
and send texts
and adjust earbuds

...she waved with her hands
and he nodded yes yes yes and
she leaned in and he threw back
a ferocious laugh...

without effort
or pity or even
having to cross the street.