Poetry of Issue #7        Page 17

Frugal Proceedings

You must race to cross under the aegis
and bounty of cool green light

that washes like a wet forest over the innocent
white stripes of the crosswalk.

Do not waste the seconds of safety
with observation at forty feet

but squash the gap at a run before
bloody red releases the pent beasts

and closes your path—that, yes—will open
again as that waiting, God-like green

parts the rushing metal seas, but you will
never regain the minute

—and a bad habit does it breed.

so keep your eyes on the signal
and take your steps with conscious speed.

  John Zedolik