counting cracks on essex street didn t see them coming for me darted from the atm and swore if i could make it to the dollar store i could play it cool for ten minutes let them retreat to dark and dusty corners of our street mr kim receives me with a smile i duck behind the contraception aisle our friends file in and ask if i m around one guy shoplifts a candy bar and spits on the ground neon hums a harmony fluorescent buzz sings me sweet condolences for gray hairs earned in cold low light walking home from your house late at night