by Ioana Jucan
Ripe.
Riper.
Ripest.
Ripening.
Ripeningly.
Ripened.
Rip/Ready.
Ripe was the heel for stepping forward
never before touched by the asphalt
like a virgin
too shy
to speak.
Let loose into the world
after a night of un-sleep
his mind lost and found –
his uncertainties deep –
the feet
knew not whereto, whereto…
Tick tick tick tick
Tick tick tack
Tick tack tick tack
Tick tick tack.
The door opens
onto the world.
Like a man of the world
Aspiring to be of this world –
he opens onto the world
like a flower.
Greet. Meet. Eat
with shy and excited others
in overcrowded vicinities.
The proximity of the breath/ felt on his cheek/ in a breathing spell/ enables him/
to recharge his batteries./
Tense though he is/ he feels/ ready to swing/ in the ring.
But
prominent
heels
get
stepped
on.